'The milk is spoiled' was the code message that meant the emergency shutdown of the whole operation.
After Face made a few more calls, Face closed his phone, got comfortable in his seat and closed his eyes.
CHAPTER 86
Twenty minutes later…
Tasha drove her Mercedes into the movie theatre parking lot and found an empty space. Together they all walked toward the entrance. The tinted Ford Taurus that was parked a few spaces away with the two FBI agents that were inside watched their every move. As soon as they paid and entered the theatre, Face hurried and rushed towards the men's bathroom. When he walked inside Quincy was standing there holding a shopping bag. They were
both dressed alike; blue jeans, grey sweatshirt, white Nike running shoes and blue fitted baseball cap.
"The milk has been spoiled," Face said, quickly changing into the white sweat suit that Quincy had brought him. "In the mean time, I want you to do a few things for me," Face said,
reaching into his pocket and taking out a small piece of paper. He passed the paper to Quincy and watched as he read it.
"Don't worry, I'll take care of everything," Quincy replied.
They shook hands and both walked out of the bathroom.
After Face had given Tasha and Pamela a kiss and a hug, they watched as he walked over to the side exit door and calmly stepped outside. Face walked through the crowded parking lot and stopped when he approached a parked tinted, black Dodge Magnum. With the key that Quincy had gave him, he quickly got inside. Moments later he was driving by the parked Ford Taurus, straight out of the parking lot exit. He was headed to his highly secured, secret safe house in East Hampton, New York where he could lay low and figure things out.
When Tasha and Pamela had walked out of the theatre Quincy was with them. They all got into Tasha's Mercedes and moments later she pulled off. Once again the tinted Ford Taurus closely trailed them.
Agent McDonald closed his cell phone and looked at his partner, Agent Powaski and said, "After tomorrow, Face's reign on top will be all over!"
As he continued to follow Tasha's car, Powaski just smiled and nodded his head. "Did they get the Gomez brothers?" he asked.
"Yeah, in New York. About an hour ago," McDonald replied. "And they also got Face on a recorded phone conversation with Roberto Chavez discussing the purchase of over 2000 kilos
of cocaine and 250 pounds of heroin. Now, all we need to do is catch Face dropping off the money and picking up the drugs!"
"So, Roberto had decided to flip sides, huh?" Powaski asked as he drove.
"Yeah, he's being placed in the witness protection program as we speak. He's already agreed to testify against Face and the Gomez brothers. With Roberto's cooperation all three of
them will soon be serving life sentences," McDonald said grinning.
"Maybe we need to talk to a few of Face's friends who are in prison; give them a chance to get some of that hard time off their backs. It would make our case stronger at trial," Agent Powaski said.
"That's not a bad idea. In the next few weeks we'll go pay some of them a visit. There's not a prisoner alive that don't want his freedom," McDonald said and they both started laughing.
"Do you want to keep trailing them?" Powaski asked, as he followed Tasha's car down Market Street.
"No, turn off at the next corner. We've seen enough for one day."
At the corner of 17th and Market street the Ford Taurus made a quick right turn. On their way back to the FBI office, the two agents had no idea that Face was cruising down the New Jersey Turnpike, already half way to New York City.
Northeast Philly, early the next morning, 8:17 AM...
Quincy was watching the house, a block away, from inside a tinted Infiniti G-35. For the past hour he had set and closely watched everything through the lens of the black binoculars
in his hands. The Feds had no idea that they too were being watched by one of Face's top men, who in turn, was reporting everything directly back to him.
Quincy watched as the Feds cleared the area. They had armed undercover agents posted on the tops of buildings and inside unmarked cars. After seeing Roberto Chavez being driven by two undercover agents, Quincy started up his car, made a u-turn, and drove in the opposite direction.
"Face, I just saw him pull up. It's true man, he's trying to set you up with the Feds. The whole thing is one big set up!" Quincy said into his cell phone.
"Good job, Quincy. And thanks for taking care of everything else. I'll be talking to you soon," Face said ending the phone call.
Face sat up on the edge of the bed and dialed the Gomez's private line. Once again there was no answer. After closing up his phone, he decided not to call them again-not until they
tried to contact him. Face wasn't sure what was going on, but the one thing that he did know was that he had to try and remain as calm as possible. He had been laying in bed all night thinking. He knew the Feds didn't have much on him; only the things Roberto had to tell them. And most of it was probably lies, designed to save his own ass. Still, Face knew exactly how the Feds played; by their own crooked rules. Face also knew how badly they wanted to take him down and use him as an example. Being young, rich and black only made him a bigger and better target for them.
A few hours later...
Inside the U.S. Federal Courthouse in downtown Philadelphia, a secret Grand Jury convened and was in progress. Inside the Grand Jury Room, the Assistant United States Attorney was presenting his case against Face to the jury. Also present were Agents Powaski and McDonald, Philadelphia Police Detective Ron Perry, a government assistant for Senator C.W. Watson and the governments number one witness, Roberto Chavez.
When Face didn't show up at the FBI and DEA secret undercover drug sting operation, they decided to try for an indictment anyway. Even with the minimum amount of evidence they had, they believed it was enough to convince the Jury that Face needed to be taken off the streets.
Less than one hour after the jury had been impaneled they had come to a unanimous decision. With the evidence and the testimony from the government's witnesses they had voted to
issue a federal indictment.
"We got him!" Ron Perry said, as he and the two agents walked out of the courtroom.
"That's right, Detective. Once the bench warrant is issued, which should be later today, all we have to do then is find Face and arrest him," Agent Powaski said. Maybe he'll do us
all a favor and resist arrest!" he added, then they all started laughing.
CHAPTER 87
Two weeks later...
For two long weeks Face hid inside his luxurious New York estate. The only people who knew his whereabouts were Tasha, Pamela, Quincy and his good friend and financial advisor, Peter J. Greenberg. They were the only people he trusted. Most days Face sat around watching CNN and reading newspapers. Afterwards he would go for a workout in his state of the art gym, then take a hot relaxing shower. At night he would eat while lying in bed thinking, then call Tasha and the kids and talk with them before he went to sleep.
He knew that the main keys to his success were to learn as much about his case as possible, and to stay calm. To panic would spell doom and ruin. Not just for him but for his family as well. As he sat on the sofa watching CNN, the front door opened and Tasha walked inside. She smiled, ran over to Face and joined him on the sofa. Without words they started intensely kissing and hugging.
Almost every day after work, Tasha would get in her Mercedes and drive to New York to see him. After their long passionate kiss, Face looked deep into her watery eyes and asked, "did you make sure nobody was trying to follow you again?"
"Yes, Baby. I took the directions you gave me and made sure nobody was trailing me," she said, as the tears started to roll down her face.
Face reached out and grabbed Tasha into his arms. She laid her head on his chest and said, " FBI agents came by the job and house again looking for you. I told them that I still haven't seen or heard from you in week
s."
"Anything else?" Face asked.
"Your mother misses you terribly. And Veronica said, if there’s anything she could do for you, just let her know and it's done. I also gave the rest of the money that Quincy dropped off to Peter. He already took care of everything," Tasha said, as she looked up and smiled. "Norman and Isuri miss their daddy," she added.
"Did you tell them that I would be gone for a while?"
"Yes, I told them. But, they still miss you," she replied.
“Did the Gomez brothers get in contact with you, yet?" she asked.
"No, I haven't heard from them since that night they called me and told me about Roberto. I'm thinking they're out of the country somewhere," Face stated.
"Do you think Roberto told on them also?" Tasha asked curiously.
After a short sigh Face said, "I've thought about it a few times and I still don't know what to think. If Roberto tried to set me up with the Feds, then maybe he did the same with the Gomez brothers too. If he did then he knows the consequences for his betrayal. Still, right now, only time will tell."
Tasha sat up and said, "So, why haven't you gotten a lawyer yet? Your old lawyer, James Blake, called me a few times asking about you. He wants to help."
"That's what I wanted to talk to you about," Face said, as he reached into his shirt pocket and took out a small piece of paper. "I want you to get me this lawyer. Her name is Gloria Jones and she's the only person that I want to represent me," he said passing Tasha the paper.
Tasha looked at Gloria Jones's name and just nodded her head. She knew exactly who she was. Tasha had never forgotten about the farewell letter that she wrote to Face those many years
ago. She also knew that Gloria Jones was a woman who deeply loved Face and decided to leave town because she couldn't have him.
"Is this all, cause I'll get right on it," Tasha asked.
Face reached over and grabbed Tasha's hands and looked into her eyes. "No, that's not all. There's something about me and Gloria Jones that you need to know," he said.
Tasha sat back and listened while Face told her all about his past relationship with Gloria Jones. After he finished Tasha was relieved to finally know the whole truth.
"I'll go and see her tomorrow morning and let her know everything," Tasha said, as she and Face stood up from the sofa.
As they walked over toward the stairs one of the maids approached them, "Mr. and Mrs. Smith would y’all like any special orders for tonight?" she politely asked.
"No Anna, we'll be fine. Just make sure that me and my wife are not disturbed tonight," Face said, as he grabbed Tasha's hand. With huge smiles, they headed to the cozy master suite upstairs.
S.C.I. Graterford Prison...
Agents McDonald and Powaski sat inside the small staff room patiently waiting for the prison staff to bring in the next inmate. The two agents had taken the trip from Philly to hopefully gather more witnesses and vital information for their case against Face.
The door opened and the two C.O.s escorted the next inmate inside. Standing there with a newly full grown beard and a few pounds heavier was Face's right hand man, Reese. His wrists
were handcuffed and shackled tightly to a waist chain. After Reese sat down in a chair the two C.O.s left the room and closed the door.
"How are you Mr. Daniels. My name is Agent McDonald and this is my partner Agent Powaski. We're with the FBI..."
Reese gave the agents an angry disgusted look and said, "What the fuck do y’all want!"
Agent McDonald grinned and said, "Reese, we are here to help you. And maybe give you a chance."
"A chance for what?" Reese replied with a curious look.
"A chance at saving yourself from a future life sentence. And a chance to be back with your new wife, Sandy and your pretty little daughter, Amiaya," Powaski said.
Reese sat back and smiled, "Is that right?" he said nonchalantly, "Look here, y’all wasted y’all's time coming up here."
"No, you look here, Mr. Daniels! Your friend Face is in a lot of trouble. Too much for even him to get out of. I know by now that you know about everything that's going on. And your name has been brought up quite a few times. Now, either you can work with us and we'll go to the U.S. Attorney with a recommendation that you and your family be placed in the Witness Protection Program, or you can join your friend. Reese, this case is bigger than anything you could ever imagine and your friend, Face, is going down with or without you," Agent McDonald
threatened.
"If you do decide to be loyal to your friend, then we will have to come after you as well. And based on all the witnesses and evidence we now have, we will pursue a life sentence. That's
natural life! Not like here in the state prison. Federal life means until you die," Agent Powaski added with a sly grin.
"We know everything, Reese. So try and save yourself. Or at least do it for your family," McDonald said, as he stood up and walked over to the door.
"Think about this, Reese. Would Face do a life sentence for you if the shoe was on the other foot? Would he choose you over his family?" Powaski asked.
With a calm expression, Reese sat there in total silence. Then, moments later, the two C.O.s escorted him out of the room.
"So, what do you think?" Powaski asked as they walked down the hall.
"We just have to cross our fingers and wait and see," McDonald answered.
CHAPTER 88
Manhattan, New York, early the next morning...
In the heart of New York City, Tasha got out the Yellow Cab and walked into a tall office building. After walking through the crowded lobby, she and a few other people rushed to an awaiting elevator. When the elevator doors closed, she pushed the button for the 12th floor and stood back. Holding a black briefcase in her hands, Tasha was dressed to impress. With her hair and nails freshly done, she was wearing a cream colored business suit with a matching pair of Gucci sandals.
Four men were on the elevator with her and none of them could keep their eyes off of her. As she stood there waiting for the elevator to reach her floor she could feel their eyes scanning her entire body. She was used to the attention that men, and sometimes women, would give her. But Tasha never paid it any mind. Her mind, body and soul, yearned for one man only. Her husband, Face.
When the elevator stopped on the 12th floor and the large steel doors slowly opened, Tasha stepped out and into the small lobby. She walked over to a young attractive white woman sitting behind a desk and typing on a computer.
"Excuse me, my name is Tasha Smith. I'm here to meet with Mrs. Gloria Jones-Henderson."
"One moment, please," the woman said, picking up the phone, pushing a number, then waiting.
"Yes, Lori, what is it?" Gloria answered.
"Mrs. Henderson, Mrs. Tasha Smith is here to see you," she said, smiling at Tasha.
"Okay, send her back," Gloria said, then hung up the phone.
"You can go right back. Mrs. Henderson's office is down that hall, the second door on the right," Lori pointed out.
"Thank you," Tasha smiled, then turned and walked down the hallway. She felt envious eyes on her back.
When she reached the door she read the sign on it, 'Gloria Jones-Henderson, Attorney at Law'. She knocked twice and when the door opened Gloria was standing there with a big smile on her face.
"Glad to meet you Mrs. Smith," Gloria said, taking Tasha's hand. After their handshake, Gloria led Tasha into her large plush office and offered her a comfortable seat in front of her desk. Tasha sat down and Gloria walked around her desk and sat down in her high-backed, black leather chair. "Wow, I've been a big fan of yours since reading your story in Ebony a few years ago. It's truly an honor to meet you," Gloria said with excitement.
"Thank you. I'm a big fan of yours, also," Tasha said. "I read a story on you in Essence a few months back. And I must say, you are a lot prettier in person," she added.
"Thank you," Gloria blushed. "Now, tell me what was so important that you needed to see me
as soon as possible?"
Tasha looked deep into Gloria's eyes and said, "You don't remember me, do you?" "Excuse me? Am I missing something?" Gloria asked with a puzzled look. She stared for a moment in silence, then it dawned on her. "You're...You're Tasha! I recognize you now! It's been a while, but I remember you!"
"Well, I'm his wife now, and that's why I came all the way to New York City to see you," Tasha said with a ruthless look.
"You and Face are married?"
"Yes, Mrs. Henderson and we have two young children now," Tasha replied. Gloria sank back into her comfortable, soft leather chair and smiled. "Did Face ever tell you about..."
"Y’all's brief affair," Tasha interrupted. "Yes, he told me everything."
Concerned, Gloria asked, "How is he doing?"
"Not too good. That's why I'm here."
"What's wrong?" Gloria asked.
After a long sigh, Tasha tearfully looked at Gloria and said, "my husband was recently indicted by a Federal Grand Jury in Philadelphia. The Feds have a bench warrant out for his arrest and a one-hundred thousand dollar reward," Tasha explained between her sobs.
"For what?!" Gloria asked in surprise.
"For drugs! My husband was set up by a man named Roberto Chevez, a Nicaraguan citizen who was here in the U.S. on a temporary work visa. Mr. Chevez got my husband to incriminate himself on a recorded phone conversation that was being recorded by the FBI,"
Tasha explained.
Gloria sat back with her arms crossed carefully listening to everything that Tasha told her. Mrs. Henderson have you ever heard the name, C.W. Watson?"
"Yes, he's a U.S. Senator, and a good friend of my husband's. But, what has he got to do with this?"
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