by Lynn Emery
“Thanks. I— ” MiMi gasped and put a hand to her mouth as she looked past Willa.
Willa turned to see what caused her reaction. Jazz walked toward them. She wore a large white bandage across her left cheek and another was wound around her left right hand. Willa brushed past two people to hug her. “Oh my God. Jazz.”
Jazz pushed back from Willa after a few moments. She shrugged. “Don’t worry ‘bout me. You should see the bitch that made the mistake of taking me on.”
“Are you getting proper medical attention? Did they punish the inmate who did this? I will speak to the warden before the end of business today.” MiMi blinked at Jazz as she whispered to her fiercely. “Don’t you worry.”
“Are you okay?” Willa had to catch her breath before managing to get words out. She felt shaky as she noticed the stitches on Jazz’s cheek beneath the bandage. Her hand obviously had defensive wounds.
“I’m fine,” Jazz said coolly as she glanced around at the other inmates entering the room. Then she looked at Willa. “Hey, calm down. I said I’m okay. The plan is rockin’ along.”
“Plan?” MiMi said, her voice low.
“Yeah, Willa will tell you about it later,” Jazz replied and nodded to her.
“No, I won’t,” Willa tossed back and ignored MiMi’s scowl.
“In the meantime don’t worry about me. My girls are watching my back in here,” Jazz continued.
“How did Felipe know so fast?” Willa demanded.
“I’m not sure it was him. Just so happens the girl Felipe had before me is in here. She’s a crazy Latina, and he was cold-blooded the way he dumped her. Maybe Felipe’s boys told her to get me. Maybe she doesn’t know anything just wanted some payback for me taking her man.” Jazz’s gaze flickered around the room as she talked.
“Or maybe she wanted to score points with Felipe by taking you out,” Willa said in a grave voice.
“Doesn’t matter. She won’t be coming back at me for a while.” Jazz spat out a string of Spanish words.
“I don’t speak the language but I know exactly what you said.” MiMi blinked at her rapidly.
“Stop stalling, Jazz. Follow the plan and tell Miller what he needs to arrest Felipe fast, and get him off the street. Maybe I should pay your bail. I’m not sure that it wouldn’t be less dangerous for you out on the street,” Willa whispered to Jazz as MiMi leaned in to catch every word.
“Outside would be worse. At least here I can scope out and predict who is comin’ at me. Felipe could have somebody I’ve never seen run up on me at anytime. No, until I get him first this is where I’ll stay.”
“The police are only dumb in cheap movies and bad cop shows on television. Miller will figure out you’re playing him along.” Willa glanced around to see if anyone was paying too much attention to them and their conversation.
“Not many visitors today,” MiMi said as though reading Willa’s mind. She nodded at the sparse crowd. “I think we’re okay.”
“About two dozen of these girls in here are either friends or friends of friends. I’m okay for sure. I checked out the other inmates before I surrendered in the interest of cooperation and justice.” Jazz looked at Willa.
“Now I understand why you didn’t kick, scream and cuss me out when I suggested it,” Willa retorted.
“Sweetie, I always have a plan within a plan and a backup plan on top of that,” Jazz quipped. “So once I do talk, Miller will pick up Felipe. And they’ll take out the rest of Felipe’s boys in town. Then I’ll spill more of what I know and cash in my get out of jail card.”
“But they could get out on bond and come after us,” MiMi said. She gave a dramatic shiver. “We know they don’t mind killing people.”
Willa followed Jazz’s gaze as she watched the last inmate say goodbye to an elderly couple. When all three were gone only one inmate with two visitors was left. Jazz nodded for Willa and MiMi to move even farther away to a bench on the opposite side of the room. Once they were settled Jazz looked even more laid back. Still she spoke in a soft undertone.
“They won’t get out on bail. After what I tell them, they’ll be held without bond. They’re a flight risk and known felons. Even if the judge does set bail their cash is tapped out. That’s why they were so pissed about the money falling through. They blamed Jack.”
“Because he wanted to back out of whatever they were up to?” Willa said.
Jazz shook her head. “Jack wasn’t in on Felipe’s little operation. See these guys got the jobs at the warehouse through Reverend Fisher’s program. Ike Nelson found out they were moving guns and drugs, but he wasn’t going to cross Felipe. Besides he was making money both ways.”
“I’m confused. Why would Felipe think Jack had his money?” Willa said.
“Felipe is paranoid. He probably thinks Ike and Jack decided to rip him off. I don’t know. Doesn’t matter because Felipe will soon have other things to worry about,” Jazz said.
“So Jack was going to tell on everybody and Felipe killed him before he could,” MiMi said. Her expression hardened. “I want Felipe and his crew to pay. Let’s take them down hard.”
“We’re not taking anybody down. Jazz is going to tell Detective Miller what she knows, and then we’ll let them do their jobs.” Willa looked at Jazz. “You’re not going to hold anything back or play games. No last minute surprises, which you’re known to do.”
“I said I was gonna take care of this.” Jazz blew out a sharp breath.
“Don’t start with the rebellious little sister stuff now. I’m not in the mood.” Willa frowned as she stared hard at Jazz.
MiMi stood and looped an arm around Willa and Jazz pulling them into a group hug. “Girls, girls. Now is not the time to snap at each other. We have to pull together. Too much is at stake.”
“Whatever. Anyway, show a little trust for once.” Jazz told Willa, brushing free of MiMi’s hold.
“Sorry. I shouldn’t have snapped at you. I know you’ll do what it takes to protect the kids,” Willa said.
“I will,” Jazz said then cleared her throat. “Okay, we’ve had our group hug. Now back to business. Felipe won’t get out once they pick him up.”
“But what about you?” MiMi leaned closer to Jazz. “You can’t implicate them without getting yourself in trouble for being involved.”
Jazz shed her streetwise tough exotic dancer persona. Like magic she became a scared young woman in over her head. Her voice trembled. “I was in fear of my life, Detective Miller. You’ve seen his record. Felipe has a long history of violence, including against women. He would slit my throat if I said anything.”
“Wow, you’re good.” MiMi blinked at her as if seeing Jazz for the first time.
“Sure, she’s got great acting skills. Plus the part about Felipe slitting her throat is true. This isn’t a game,” Willa said quietly.
“Willa, I got myself into something that got deeper than even I wanted to go. I should have followed my gut and avoided Felipe. But he’s not the kind that takes rejection from women well, if you know what I mean.” Jazz shrugged. “He wasn’t all that bad, at first.”
“I’m guessing he’s super fine, was throwing around a lot of cash and has that hot, bad boy persona,” MiMi added.
Jazz grinned. “Yeah, and I’m a sucker for a sexy Latino accent.”
“Oh yeah, girl. I feel you on that one,” MiMi said and fanned her face.
“Never mind the long arrest record and tendency to murder people who annoy him, huh? Jazz— ” Willa shook her head.
“Lecture me later.” Jazz waved a hand at her.
Willa started bouncing one leg, realized it and forced her leg still. Mama Ruby always said that was a dead giveaway that Willa was scared about what might happen next. When Jazz placed a hand on her knee Willa glanced up into her almond brown eyes
“I’m going to make this turn out right.” Jazz spoke as though she were the older sister. When Willa nodded Jazz took her hand away. A devilish gleam lit her eyes making
them sparkle as if in anticipation. “Miller is coming by this evening to ‘interview’ me. Shit ought to start hitting the fan not long after that.”
“Let’s just get this over with, little sister. No tricks,” Willa whispered.
“Time, ladies,” the female correctional officer said. The stocky woman unlocked the door leading to the cellblock.
Jazz stood and held up two fingers. “On my honor as a Girl Scout. I’ll talk to you soon.”
“Real soon. In twenty-four hours I’ll get you out of here,” Willa called after her.
Jazz didn’t look back, just kept walking. She merely lifted a hand to acknowledge Willa’s pledge. Once outside in the parking lot MiMi and Willa both slipped on their sunglasses. Neither left, but stood looking at the prison through the chain link fence topped with barbed wire. The gray sky had cleared to light blue with not a cloud in sight. The scene was deceptively peaceful in contrast to danger behind those walls. And outside of them.
“What now?” MiMi broke the silence though her voice was subdued.
“We all better keep our heads low cause like Jazz said, it’s about to hit the fan.”
***
By six-thirty that evening Willa stood in her kitchen tearing up lettuce leaves for the dinner salad. The television played in the background. She watched a re-broadcast of the six o’clock news. After the first few stories one made her drop the carrot she was about to peel and grab the remote. She hit the volume.
“Police arrested four men in a drug raid in Brookstown, a rough neighborhood that has been the scene of three drive-by shootings in the last two months. Sources tell us this raid is linked to the recent arrest in Houston of Felipe Perez. Perez is thought to have set up major cocaine and illegal gun operations in Baton Rouge. Perez is also suspected in a recent murder. We’ll have more on this story during our ten o’clock edition.”
Willa felt shaky, so she sat down on a bar stool at the breakfast counter. The phone rang four times before the sound registered in her brain. The caller ID read “Unknown.” When she finally picked up the cordless phone a female voice spoke in husky drawl.
“Hey, what up? Got a message from your sis. It’s all good.”
“Who is this?” Willa said without thinking. When the woman gave a loud pointed sighed Willa got the stranger’s second message. Anonymous was her name. “Right. Thanks.”
“No problem. She’s doing just fine.” At that the call ended as abruptly as it had begun.
Moments later Anthony entered the kitchen. He still held one of the other cordless handsets. “Mama, what’s up with Aunt Jazz?”
“You shouldn’t be listening in on calls if they don’t ask for you by name.” Willa hit the off button of the phone and frowned at him.
“I picked up cause I thought you were busy fixing supper. Besides I’m concerned about Aunt Jazz. Sorry, but I couldn’t just ignore it.”
“Well try harder next time. The less you know the better.” Willa went back to the salad bowl. She glanced down to find the carrot she’d dropped had rolled onto the floor. She picked it up and tossed it into the trashcan.
“Just tell me she’s okay.”
“You heard her friend, it’s all good. Jazz is gonna land on her feet as usual.” Willa had to admire her baby sister’s ability to make it.
Anthony nodded. He sat down and watched Willa for a few seconds. “This has something to do with her boyfriend Felipe.”
Willa spun around to face him. “What do you know about him?”
“Nothing, except he was at her apartment a couple times I went over there. And, uh, I saw him hanging at Candy Girls. Not that I’ve been there since you busted me,” Anthony added quickly.
“I know. I’m not trying to treat you like a child, Anthony. The important thing is we’re dealing with it.”
“You, Uncle Dion and Uncle Shaun and Mr. Cedric. Even Miss MiMi is helping, huh?”
“I don’t know how much Miss MiMi is actually helping, but we’re doing what we can. Most important we’re going to let the police deal with Felipe Perez and his crew. If there is anything else that Jack got involved in that was illegal— ” Willa bit her lower lip. “We’ll face it when we have to. If I can keep Mikayla from hearing any really negative information about her daddy I will.”
“Good thing she doesn’t care about watching the news. I can always distract her with one of those goofy kid cartoon shows.”
“Yes. Thank goodness she hasn’t grown up so fast like you,” Willa said with a smile of affection. “Now let us old folks handle this mess, and let me get back to dinner.”
“Just stay safe. I figured out Felipe was bad news when I met him the first time.” Anthony’s voice dropped deeper at the implied trouble Felipe Perez brought with him.
Willa suppressed the chill of fear. Instead she smiled as she opened the refrigerator. “Well, he’s the Baton Rouge Police Department’s problem now. So no worries. That’s a direct order from your mother.”
“Yes, ma’am.”
Anthony said nothing as he watched Willa get another carrot and a cucumber for the salad. He followed her movements as she sliced through them on the cutting board. Willa could almost hear the sound of wheels spinning in his sharp mind. She also knew he had more to say, but decided to let him gather his thoughts.
“Mama?”
“Yes.” Willa swept the sliced vegetables into the bowl with the green leaf lettuce.
“You think Felipe killed Dad?” Anthony’s voice was quiet.
“I honestly don’t know anything for sure, Anthony.” Willa wiped her hands on a paper towel. Then she faced him again. “I don’t even know for sure that Felipe ever met Jack.”
“I know he worked at that warehouse Strafford, Inc. bought. Aunt Jazz told me,” Anthony added when Willa’s eyebrows shot up. “From what they said on the news Felipe was a big time drug and gun trafficker.”
“Humph, you really are putting some pieces together. Warehouse, shipments, drugs and guns.” Willa once again felt a chunk of his childhood innocence slip away. She had to remind herself that Anthony was not just bright, he could think ahead.
“Allegedly. Even scum bags are guilty until proven otherwise.” Willa keep slicing and dicing until she had way more salad than they could eat.
“Sounds reasonable. Dad must have found out and didn’t want to go along with it. But then Mr. Ryan should have figured it out, too, or Dad told him. Wonder how he didn’t get hurt.” Anthony’s dark eyebrows pulled together as he concentrated.
Willa froze. “Why would you say Ryan must have known?”
“Dad told me Mr. Ryan’s trucking company had a contract to move stuff from that warehouse. They both met with those dudes at Strafford, Inc.”
Willa felt a piece of the puzzle click into place. So Ryan did have a contract with Strafford, a contract that involved the same warehouse Felipe used. And he didn’t mention it to her despite his oh-so sincere Mr. Helpful act. She made a mental note to discuss that angle with Cedric.
“Ryan Crown is too prissy to get within miles of anything too dangerous,” Willa said trying to shake him off that line of reasoning. “You’re going to be a great investigator by the time you’re out of college and ready to take over Crown Protection. Until then work out those math problems instead. Leave the mystery solving to Detective Miller. That’s what I plan to do.”
“Sure you will. You and Aunt Jazz helped hand over that Felipe character to the police slick as you please.” Anthony grinned when Willa hissed at him. “That’s what I thought.”
“You’re way to smart for your own good, little boy,” Willa teased and tried to tickle him.
“Stop with that little boy stuff again.” Anthony did fancy footwork to get out of her way.
“Anthony, don’t repeat that stuff about the warehouse or Ryan to anyone else, especially not your grandparents.” Willa said with intensity. “I want you safe, too.”
“I’ll be super careful, Mama. So don’t worry.” Anthony winked a
t her and left.
“Right. Don’t worry.”
Willa watched him leave with a confident adolescent male stride. Deep into counting all the reasons she had to worry, Willa was on number fifteen when the sound of the doorbell made her jump. She let out a string of curse words. Then in deference to Aunt Ametrine’s Sunday school lessons she asked forgiveness. With the phone in hand ready to dial 911 she peered out the window. She cursed again and slapped the metal locks back then opened her front door.
“Good evening, Detective Miller,” Willa drawled then crossed her arms. “Now what?”
He gazed at Willa without speaking for several seconds then looked over his shoulder. His partner got out of their unmarked gray Chevy Impala. Detective Addison opened the rear passenger door and held Jazz’s arm as she got out. When she pushed his hand away the detective merely smiled at her.
“We wanted to bring your sister home to the loving care of her family,” Miller said mildly. “And find out the real story so we won’t go around thinking you ladies are obstructing justice.”
Chapter 15
Detectives Miller and Addison stood on Willa’s doorstep. Jazz took her sweet time getting from the car to the front door. The two men looked at Willa for a reaction. Jazz looked bored.
“I don’t have any idea what you’re talking about,” Willa shot back with an irritated glance from Detective Miller to Jazz.
“Don’t look at me. I wanted to stay with a friend of mine.” Jazz tossed her head making her long weave bounce. Then she performed her “Bite me” strut of scorn past the two detectives, her leather purse swinging as she moved. As she brushed close to Willa on her way into the house she whispered, “They’re bluffing.”
“We need to talk. Seriously.” Miller planted his six feet two inch bulky frame in front of Willa.
“I get the impression you’d shove your way inside if I refused. Don’t try it, though. Not unless you’ve got a search warrant in your back pocket.” Willa glared back at him.