by S. L. Walker
“Zara, don’t you get in that car! Just let them come to us! They are big girls!” Her father called out to her. He looked at Professor Heart to go get her.
“Come on! Let’s go!” She yelled to Professor Heart. He sighed and walked towards her. She rushed over to the passenger side and he locked the car door with his keys.
“What are you doing? Let’s go?! We can grab a GreyHound map on the way!” She yelled at Professor Heart, looking at him as if he was the crazy one.
“If your Uncle knows Cash, he’s the best bet to tell us whats going to happen,” Professor Heart backed away and walked back to Manuel and Tito.
“Cash doesn’t give a shit about my Uncle Tito! He cares about getting the girls!” She pleaded.
Professor Heart turned to Tito.
“Can you give Cash a call please?” Professor asked Tito. Tito immediately took out his cell and called Cash who immediately answered.
“Tito! You have them, don’t you?” Cash was all kinds of frustrated. He had been too late to catch the girls in Savannah thanks to all the heat on him, he had to do a lot of cop dodging
“What do you mean, I thought they would be wit you,” Tito gave a look at Professor Heart.
“Hell no, they are probably almost to Charlottesville now. Tito, I paid money for them girls. Money that I am going to have to now give to the Jamaicans. Do you understand that?!” Cash felt disrespected and more so played. This was going to tarnish the relationship with the Jamaican Mafia. He had always done good business deals with them and he knew that the money he paid, might not be the money they want to pay. He was asking a lot more from them then he had paid for the girls.
“I understand that, Cash. Tis has nothing to do wit me. And we are trying to find that fucker, Treach, now. Looks like he got out of town,” Tito told Cash. Cash didn’t want to hear that.
“Of course he did,” Cash scowled.
“If you find them within the next hour, I will give you $10,000 primo. Just for your time. You hear me?” He whispered. “$10,000,” Cash said again and hung up. Tito was insulted that he would even think he’d betray his brother and his niece like that for money.
“What he say?” Manuel asked him. Zara finally gave up and walked over to join them.
“He don’t have them. The girls are gonna make it,” Tito said, confidently.
Zara smiled at their toughness. She couldn’t believe they had escaped and were making their way home. Those four were something else.
$$$$
DJ awoke in the hospital to being hooked up to everything with a severe headache. He had been a bit dizzy from the Morphine and looked around his hospital room wondering how he got there. No one was laying by his side. Not his mom, father, or homies. He then wondered if anyone knew he was there. He ripped the needles giving him fluid out of his arms and the oxygen from his nose. He slowly became more coherent as he eased himself up off of the bed. He noticed his clothes were folded neatly on a lounge chair by the bed and his shoes tucked underneath. He checked for his wallet and his pager in his back pockets and only found the wallet. He quickly changed out of his hospital gown and peeped out of his room door. There was a receptionist desk right across from him, he strained to walk over as the morphine began to wear off, exposing all of his body pain.
“Excuse me miss. Can you tell me who brought me here?” He asked politely. The receptionist was a petite young girl, looked like she had just graduated college. Her hair was all natural in a big puff ball and her peach lipstick matched her bright yellow complexion.
“What room were you in?” She asked, pulling out a green folder.
“That one,” he pointed behind him at room 122.
“Yeah, a young girl. I am sorry to have to tell you this but the young man you were with, he passed away,” she looked him in his eyes with sorrow. She knew he clearly was alone at this moment.
“What? Deon?” DJ frantically looked around as if he was guilty.
“Yes, sweety, I am so sorry. I can call the doctor to get more information. Do you need to call anyone?” She stood up ready to console him.
“No, no,” he shook his head and darted down the hallway towards the exit as fast as he could. Deon was dead? Everything was finally coming back to him like a wave on the sand. Treach had beat him and left him to rot next to Deon. He remembered them wanting to finish DJ off, but for some reason didn’t. It was all dark after that. He remembered a females voice and being carried into a truck. He remembered everything going in and out.
DJ darted out of the elevator onto the main floor of the building. He ran out of the sliding doors and looked everywhere for a Taxi. The afternoon sun was bright. It was busy and people were walking in and out of the hospital, walking past him as if he was nobody.
He needed to get home and he needed to get out of there. In his mind, the girls were long gone and everything had gone to shit. Someone would be looking for the murder of Deon and he knew Treach was probably out of Maryland by now. He finally flagged down a small taxi and ordered them to his home. There, he would pack what he could.
His apartment was empty and dead as if no-one had been there for a while. He usually spent most of his time at the warehouse, so he barely was at home anyway. There were old pizza boxes and Mcdonald’s bags. His studio apartment was small and had a small stench from the trash not being taken out. He moved right past his dirty mess and pulled a duffle bag out, throwing extra clothes and underwear inside. He grabbed a toothbrush, shaving bag, and a few hats, stuffing it into the bag. He turned on his small 19inch TV, changing it straight to the news channel hoping there would be some kind of information during the lunch hour. He continued to pack as the news breezed over government issues, sports, and traffic. He went into his underwear drawer and took a small key out of some old rolled up socks. He went under his bed and grabbed an old locked grey bin and opened the bin, containing three hand held guns and bullets. He grabbed them all, sticking one in his back jeans and dumping the others in his bag.
“In local news. Good News, Jim, the four teen girls missing have told authorities that they are on their way back home. No-one knows their whereabouts, but we think they are heading back home from Florida. For privacy reasons we can’t expose where, but we hope these girls make it back. Local authorities are working hard to retrieve them and put the men behind this behind bars,” the news lady delivered.
“Amen to that,” Jim chimed in. “But we do have a little information on the girls. They are all students at Mission Rock High School. Angel Moreau, actually volunteers at the local boys and girls club center. Victoria Spring’s mother says they were battling a custody case with her dad, that they won, when all of this happened and she has no relationship with him.”
“So sad, Jim,” the news lady added.
“Raven Johnson has gotten into trouble a few times but her brother is one of the star players on their High School football team. And last, Eva Sanchez is said to be smart and gets straight A’s. I mean this is an unbelievable story. These kids are really fighting for their life and an okay life it seems to be,” Jim continued.
“Yes they are. God bless them as they make their way back to us peacefully!” The news lady concluded. “With further good news, the towns festival is this weekend!” She changed the subject.
DJ’s heart fluttered and then the thought of Raven hearing Deon was gone gave him palpitations. Did Treach know they were alive? What happened? How did they escape?
DJ couldn’t help but smirk as he finished packing his bag. He threw his bag over his shoulder and went into his kitchen and pulled out an extra burner phone from his kitchen drawer. He knew he should be heading straight to Mexico, but the feelings he had for Raven clouded that decision. He turned on the phone and dialed the only person he knew would help him.
“Lila? It’s DJ. I need your help.”
CHAPTER 46
“How we getting this shit across the border?” West asked Treach as they were driving through New Jersey.
&nb
sp; “I have a stash spot in Clinton County. We are gonna drop it and head over the border not too far,” Treach answered him.
“In New York?” West looked at him, curiously.
“Yeah, dummy,” Nine responded with a dumb look on his face.
“Who asked you, yo?” West said with an attitude. He didn’t trust Nine and Nine could see it all over his face. He rolled his eyes and took out his gun and started wiping it down slowly. “What, that supposed to mean something, homeboy?” West felt threatened. Everything about Nine’s demeanor was threatening at this point. Both Treach and West were taking risks bringing him along for this ride. Treach jerked the car to the right and pulled over, surprising them both.
“What the fuck, man?” West asked, shocked. Nine’s face said the same thing.
“Let me talk to you for a second,” Treach was tired of this. He didn’t want to look behind him anymore. He got rid of DJ and didn’t want to do the same with Nine. If anything, he would get rid of West before he got rid of Nine. He got out the car and looked at West to stay put. Nine obeyed and got out of the passenger side. He kept his gun in his hand just in case Treach got funny.
“You don’t need that,” Treach waved the gun off as he came to the other side of the truck.
“Says who?” Nine stared at Treach, daringly.
“Man, look, Nine. I am sorry, okay? I know I haven’t said it and DJ meant something to you. He meant something to me, too. But he was turned, man. You know it!” Treach tried to make Nine see his side. Nine understood. It was genuine street code. But still somehow inside he felt that something else could have been done. He didn’t even give DJ the chance to leave the country.
“That’s why I didn’t shoot him or nuttin’. Feel me?” Treach moved into Nine’s space and looked at him dead in his eyes. He needed to see at least a little bit of forgiveness in Nine’s eyes. If he didn’t, Nine would have to go, too.
“Aye yoooo!” West yelled out pointing behind them. A cop was making his way their way and pulled over to the side behind them.
“Fuck!” Treach left Nine to return to the driver side unsatisfied with their conversation. Nine hopped in the passenger side again. This was the last thing Treach needed. West frantically covered up the bag with the dope, money and guns in it. Nine stuck his gun under the seat.
“Pull off!” West urged him.
“No nigga, shut the fuck up?! They will have a squad on us instantly. Sit back and chill!” Treach sat back and rolled his window down. “Hand me the registration and insurance out that black book in the glove compartment,” he told Nine. One thing Treach did do was stay legit. He didn’t want to give the police any reason to search his car, ever.
$$$$
Cash was moments away from meeting up with his Jamaican patrons. He hadn’t told them he didn’t have the girls, but that there was an issue while the girls were under his man’s care. Him and three of his goons pulled up at a small boat yard off the water. The Jamaicans were already standing on their blue and white 40ft Yacht. Cash immediately spotted the boss, Romy, smoking on a black and mild cigar, standing on the edge of the deck. Cash walked first as his men followed behind him, one carrying the bag of money. Cash was prepared to give them the $12,000 plus interest of $3,000 he had paid for the girls for losing them. He felt sick that he was paying them $20,000 instead of them paying him.
“Waah Gwaan, Cash!” Romy opened up his arms, standing right where he was. Two of his own goons walked up and patted Cash and his men down.
“Tu don’t trust me, amigo?” Cash asked, a little insulted, but knew the drill.
“Mi truss no man, but mi love funds,” Romy took a puff of his cigar as the men let Cash and his people walk by to greet him. Romy was tall, chocolate and skinny. His dreads sat in a high ponytail at the top of his head, like a tree. He wore a tight black tee and blue jean shorts with man sandals. Totally different look than Cash’s all red Miami style shirt and red beach pants.
“Fair enough,” Cash walked up next to Romy, his chain shining in the afternoon sun. His men took a seat on the round couches and table with the money.
“Suh, no girls huh?” Romy put his cigarette out on the side of the boat.
“Yeah, uh, so, somehow they got away. I got people on it, but right now, they can’t be found. So, I brought you $15,000 for your time and patience, amigo,” Cash nodded over for his boy with the bag to give the money to Romy’s man. Romy rubbed his long nose impatiently. He was hoping that wasn’t the case. He had his own buyers and even wanted to keep one of the girls for himself. He wasn’t used to Cash not pulling through, so he was wondering what was really up Cash’s sleeve.
“It’s all there, boss,” Romy’s man quickly counted the wrapped 100s and gave it to Romy.
“Dis a disappointing. Mi wanted some hataz! You bring me chedda? I got chedda,” Romy dug into his short pockets and pulled out a wad of cash.
“I know, amigo, but this is the only way I can make this right. If I find them, they are yours,” Cash didn’t like explaining himself to another man. Deep down in his soul he hated Treach for dipping out. He could have at least put the blame on him somehow and let Romy do what he pleased. But Romy’s big eyes was looking at him like dinner.
Romy crossed his arms over his chest. “Yuh know dis a nun ow mi du bizniz, eff yuh sey yuh wi duh sup’m, yuh du it.”
“I don’t know what tu want from me? This is all I have,” Cash explained.
“Dis a ongle $15,000. Yuh charge mi $20,000,” Romy held up the money bag. Cash was already fronting money to him he had no business spending and now he wanted more? Cash shook his head.
“That’s it,” he put his hands up and then extended his right hand to Romy for an agreement. Romy laughed. Cash took that as a diss and that it was time to go. Cash turned around and motioned for his men to dip out, but Romy’s men stepped in front of them with their guns drawn. Cash looked at Romy as if saying, this is how you going to do business? Cash didn’t want things to go left, but if Romy thought he came there unprepared, he had another thing coming. Straight ahead in the palm trees was his best sniper man, Looney, a war veteran, who would kill anything at anytime with one straight shot. Cash didn’t need to warn Romy of that, because if Romy wanted to kill him, he’d do it without a warning, too.
“Romy?” The last thing Cash would say before giving Looney the signal.
“Dis a pon yuh,” Romy smirked.
Cash lifted his red Gucci shades above his head and ZAP! A bullet flew through Romy’s head like an arrow, his blood splattering, blending to Cash’s red shirt. Cash dipped down as Romy’s boys took fire onto his men and to Cash. Romy’s body hit the ground of the Yacht hard, landing on his face. Bullets flew left and right, knocking down Cash’s men and Romys’. Cash darted for the stairs, knowing his only fire power was up in the trees. Pieces of the boat flew as Cash looked behind him not seeing any of his men behind him, but two of Romys' following after him, shooting and missing. Cash got to his truck in time to shut it, dodging more bullets, he put it in reverse and pressed on the gas to get out of the fire.
ZIP, ZAP, POP! A bullet hit him right in the neck causing him to freak out and let go of the wheel to hold his neck. Looney took out the two men as Cash’s truck swerved towards the pine tree he hid in, crashing. Cash gasped for air, but ill fatally felt his body becoming cold. The pain in his neck was excruciating and the blood filled his throat causing him to choke. He opened the door and fell out into the dirt taking one last gasp of the Florida air.
$$$$
“What you go and do that for?!” Treach yelled at West, hopping out of the front seat to take a look at the cop who was shot on the ground.
“Nigga, he was finna search us, I know it!” West yelled back, hopping out as well.
“You a dumb nigga!” Nine pulled his gun out to lay West right where the cop was at.
“Nigga, you don’t know that!” Treach pushed West on the chest. The young Caucasian cop laid flat on his back with a bullet in hi
s head. To West, he was asking too many questions and was wondering why they were pulled over. Treach explained Nine was feeling car sick so they pulled over to give him air.
“He was looking in the car as he was talking to us! I know cops!” West defended himself. Luckily, there wasn't a lot of traffic on the road and Nine and Treach were trying to block the body from being seen by onlookers.
“Niggas is gonna get nosy, we gotta cut,” Nine told Treach.
“We just gone leave him here?” West pointed at the deceased officer.
“Nigga, I should leave you here wit em!” Treach angrily got back in the driver seat, following Nine. They skirted out of there leaving dirt trails hightailing it to their stash spot.
CHAPTER 47
Lila was all too fascinated in the girls escape, she had no problem helping DJ by calling one of her rich gentleman callers, Alex, to fly them to Myrtle Beach, where DJ had plotted out where they would possibly be stopping at next. The man’s fairly large personal plane landed them in a small air space where DJ then took a taxi to the Greyhound stop. Lila stayed behind to make sure they made it back safely.
All the way to the Greyhound, DJ prayed the girls were there, but he couldn't help doubt that he was really pushing for a long shot. He had made it just in time to see a couple of buses waiting. He asked the Taxi to wait as he hopped out and slowly scouted the small bus stop. Several people were taking bathroom breaks and like an angel, Raven was leaning on a tall tree talking to Eva. She was a sight for soar eyes. He looked around for the other two girls, but Raven was his main priority. He instantly ran over, soar and all to her, too excited to yell her name, but he didn’t have to. Her eyes met his in an instant. Her mouth dropped as she watched DJ limp over to her from across the street.
“DJ? What are you doing here? How did you find me?” She leaned up off the tree. Eva turned around in shock. He stood in front of her afraid to hug her. He wasn’t sure what to do. He was so happy to see her alive. She looked good, despite the worn down clothes and faded makeup.