by Lynn Emery
“You knew about Felipe and his crew,” Willa said sharply. “Felipe decided to beef up his own enterprise using the warehouse, moving large cargo to the dock. So you decided to make even more money, right?”
“Jack was in on it, too,” Ryan shot back. “But he turned stupid because of this boy. Right, Anthony? You’re more responsible for Jack getting himself killed than I am.”
“Oh God. Anthony, what is he talking about?” Willa said.
“Tell your mama about you and those thugs since you want everything out in the open. Go on,” Ryan said. Scorn had replaced the pitch of fear in his voice.
“Anthony?” Willa glanced at Miller. The detective took a step closer to the door as though not wanting to miss one word.
“Me and the guys got into some petty stuff,” Anthony added defensively.
“Don’t be so modest. You got interested in Felipe’s import and export enterprise. You should be proud, Willa. Anthony here showed real promise as an illegal drug and gun dealer.” Ryan gave a nasty chuckle.
Anthony’s voice broke. “Jack found out I was hanging with Felipe’s crew, getting in too deep. Jack felt like it was his fault, that he set a bad example. He… he told me not to be like him. That’s why he decided to get out of it all, the Strafford contract and everything.”
“What an idiot. He gave up a lucrative business deal and you weren’t even his blood. And that’s what got him killed,” Ryan muttered.
“Shut the hell up! He went to you first,” Anthony said. “But you were in debt so deep you could lose everything, so you set him up to be killed. You told Ike and Felipe Jack would go to the police.”
“That’s a lie. Detective Miller, Anthony was the one close to those thugs. Maybe he wanted to avoid some jail time. He’s just making all this up to save himself,” Ryan said, the words coming out fast in an attempt to convince.
“Wrong again, chump. D’Andre lived up to his rep of having a big mouth. He told me Felipe was tipped off. You went to Strafford and Felipe to warn them, didn’t you?” Anthony’s words shot out fast, the rage in his tone building.
“Don’t point that thing at me. No, don’t please,” Ryan screamed, the scornful bravado gone. “My family will give you money.”
“Yeah, I want you to pay alright, but not the way you think,” Anthony said. “Now get on your knees. You don’t deserve to live after what you did. On your knees!”
Willa couldn’t stand it any longer. Before Miller could stop her she was through the door and in the office. Anthony stood with legs apart, both hands gripping the revolver pointed at Ryan. “Anthony, listen to me. Jack didn’t want you to end up in prison. If you hurt Ryan then Jack will have died for nothing, because that’s exactly where you’ll go. Baby please, give me the gun.”
“Jack died because of me, Mama. I was stupid, and Jack paid the price. I’ve got to make it right.” Anthony breathed hard as tears streamed down his face. His gaze never wavered from Ryan.
“Would Jack want this, Anthony? Is this the way he would want you to handle a problem, like Felipe Perez would?” Willa walked closer to Anthony and put her hand on his shoulder. She could feel the tension ease in his muscles beneath her fingers. When Miller slipped inside the door with his gun drawn Willa went dizzy with fear. Instead she kept walking until she stood between Anthony and Ryan. With both hands, out palms up, Willa gazed at her son. Seconds stretched into a lifetime. The only sound came from Anthony as he sobbed and Ryan’s panting breaths. Sweat rolled down both their faces.
“Not like this, Anthony. Please. Mikayla needs you even more now that Jack is gone, baby,” Willa said softly.
Anthony let out a ragged sob then backed up toward Willa. He bent down slowly and placed the gun on the floor at Willa’s feet. Willa stooped down, picked it up and handed the gun to Detective Miller. Once he had the semi-automatic pistol the big man exhaled long and slow. Four uniformed police officers streamed into the room to secure it.
“Shh, it’s going to be okay. You hear me? We’re going to come out of this just fine,” Willa murmured into Anthony’s ear. She held him and cradled his head against her neck
Ryan recovered his upper-class tone of entitlement once the gun was gone. “Lock him up, officers. You and your little ghetto pals will get long prison sentences for this.”
Willa blinked hard as one final puzzle piece clicked into place. “Ryan, Jack would never have gone into that neighborhood at night to meet Felipe, or any of his crew. But he would have shown up if you called him.”
“What an obvious ploy, Willa.” Ryan turned to Detective Miller. “She’s trying to take suspicion from her son.”
“Anthony is right. Jack would have told you he was backing out first. He’d try to protect you.” Willa let go of Anthony. “Once again Jack stood in your way, blocking you from getting everything you deserved. So in a rage you killed Jack then moved his body to Brookstown. Either the police would think Jack had been robbed, or better yet, Felipe and his gang would get blamed.”
“This is outrageous. I’m not going to be victimized a second time— ” Ryan started to leave, but a beefy policeman blocked his exit.
“Check his phone records for that night, Detective Miller. See if he called Jack. Then compare Jack’s cell phone GPS and see if it matches Ryan’s cell phone ping location,” Willa said, her voice razor sharp in the quiet.
“Mama, Ryan owns another gun,” Anthony said.
“It was stolen,” Ryan countered. A large drop of sweat rolled down is forehead. “Six weeks ago.”
“So you reported that theft to us?” Miller’s thick eyebrows went up when Ryan started to shake.
“The Crowns own a camp on Lake Solitude in West Feliciana Parish. Wonder what they’ll find if they drag that lake, Ryan?” Willa smiled when Ryan’s eyes went wide with fear.
“You… you can’t take her seriously. She’s a ghetto rat trying to save her brat’ skin.” Ryan gulped air like a fish out of water.
“If I were you I’d be speed dialing my lawyer right about now.” Detective Addison strolled over to Ryan and clamped a beefy hand on one of his arms.
“We need to discuss your involvement in the murder of Jack Crown. Then there is a little matter of drug trafficking.” Miller nodded slowly as he words hit home.
“Add gun smuggling,” Addison said to his partner. He jerked Ryan’s arm back.
“Just a minute, I’m the victim here. All I did was enter into a contract with an established business. I didn’t know anything about any criminal activity. So take your hands off me.” Ryan pushed hard against Detective Addison’s grip on his arm. The big detective didn’t even move. He merely smiled at Ryan.
“But we just heard you admit that you did know,” Miller replied mildly. “Take him outta here.”
Addison yanked a cursing, furious Ryan toward the door. “Yeah, I know. You’ll have my job for this. I don’t know who I’m messing with because your family has pull. Blah, blah, blah.”
When Miller turned toward Willa she clutched Anthony close. “No.”
“He has to come with us,” Miller said in a gentle but firm deep voice. Two uniformed officers stood by with alert gazes fixed on Willa and Anthony.
Anthony pulled back from Willa. “He’s right. I have to face up to everything. Jack would want it that way.” He turned to Detective Miller. “I’m ready. No way is that chump going to tell the truth.”
“But— ”
“You can call the lawyer now, Mama.” Anthony cupped Willa’s face in his hands and kissed her on the forehead. “Don’t worry. Like you said it’s gonna be alright, remember?”
Willa looked at him for a few minutes. Anthony had a look of calm maturity in his dark brown eyes. After a few seconds the horrible ringing in her ears, the panic twisting her insides quieted. Willa continued to cry, but she nodded and watched her only son be led away by the police, a sight that had always been her worst nightmare.
“They arrested Anthony. Oh hell no. ” Jazz marched for
ward as if ready to do battle.
MiMi waddled over as Anthony was guided into a police cruiser. “Willa, are you okay? Why are they taking Anthony? Ryan Crown kidnapped that child, and he had to protect himself.” She glared at Detective Miller.
“They have to question him. There is a whole lot for the police to sort out,” Willa said, surprised at how composed she felt. Jazz blinked at her rapidly in confusion but said no more. “MiMi, go home, get off your feet and rest for the baby’s sake. In fact both of y’all go home and chill.”
“No way,” Jazz protested. “I’m going with Anthony.”
“You’re going to do what I ask,” Willa broke in sharply.
“Don’t worry, Ms.Vaughn. We’ll be talking to you real soon about a list of interesting topics,” Detective Miller said to Jazz.
***
The next ten hours was a blur of booking procedures, bail negotiations, legal advice and interviews. Dion and Shaun showed up at the police station. Despite not being able to do anything but pace in the lobby, Willa’s brothers didn’t leave until Anthony was released. By the time they got home Willa’s parents and aunts were there. The aroma of food cooking flowed from the kitchen when Dion held open the door for Willa.
Mama Ruby grabbed Willa and Anthony in one tight hug before they got across the threshold. Mikayla ran forward to join in. Aunt Beryl dabbed at her eyes and fanned her face while Aunt Ametrine started a spirited thanksgiving prayer. After twenty minutes of sharing the love Willa steered Anthony away from the hubbub to his bedroom.
“Mama, I know you’re mad that I was still hanging with D’Andre even after you told me not to, but I figured Big D would talk sooner or later, ” Anthony said when they were alone. His eyes filled with tears. “Jack gave up his life because of me.”
“Yes, he wanted to protect you, but his death isn’t your fault, baby. Jack was killed because his brother was greedy. He was killed because a thug named Felipe is a cold-blooded murderer. Period.”
Anthony rested his head on Willa’s shoulder. She rocked him like she did when he was a toddler and needed comfort. Willa continued to murmur reassurances for another few minutes until he fell asleep in her arms. Despite his rangy adolescent size she managed to ease him down on the bed. She removed his athletic shoes, shirt and pants. He curled into a ball like a small boy. With one last kiss on his grubby face, Willa went out and closed the door. When she got to her bedroom she fell on the bed and cried until she drifted off to sleep, too.
***
After twenty-four hours of non-stop family attention, Willa felt a little better. At least the dead weight on her back that she hadn’t realized she’d been carrying around for weeks was gone. Mikayla went off to school as usual. After Willa consulted with the principal and a school social worker both assured her that a return to routine would help Mikayla. Anthony, however, was a whole different ball of problems. Detective Miller said he would talk to the DA about Anthony’s charges. Since Anthony had never been arrested before, Miller promised to advocate for a light sentence. Anthony’s principal, vice principal and school guidance counselor all agreed that homebound instruction might be best for the time being. Willa fought back until they reached a compromise. Anthony would be temporarily assigned to an alternative school.
When the doorbell rang the familiar metallic taste of fear returned to Willa’s mouth. Her aunts both sprang to intercept any intrusion but Willa waved them aside. Still they hovered protectively at her back as she went to the front door. For once Willa was relieved to see MiMi grinning at her through the window when opened the curtain. Jazz, unsmiling, merely stared back.
“We just came over to check on y’all. How are the kids? Who else is here? Hmm, girl, something smells good.” MiMi walked in and followed her nose to the kitchen. Moments later Willa heard her aunts making a fuss over MiMi, exhorting her to sit down and eat as much as she wanted.
“Hey,” was all Jazz said as she shut the front door behind her.
“Hi.” Willa led the way to the kitchen. “Sure, MiMi. Make yourself at home.”
“Thanks. I love lasagna and garlic bread, Aunt Beryl,” MiMi said.
“We just dropped by to check on Willa and the kids, but we’re going home now. Make sure Willa gets rest,” Aunt Beryl said to MiMi.
“And you call us if anything else happens,” Aunt Ametrine added as they blew goodbye kisses at Willa.
“Yes, ma’am. Don’t you worry,” MiMi replied hugging them in turn. She left the kitchen to escort the two women to Willa’s front door.
“She gets along better with my family than I do,” Jazz retorted. She perched on one of the tall stools at the breakfast bar.
“Yeah, well you could try a little harder at it,” Willa cracked. “Forget I just said that. I’m too worn out for another battle.”
“Like you didn’t start it.” Jazz snorted.
“Okay, okay. I’m sorry for making that remark.” Willa sat next to Jazz on another stool and watched MiMi at the stove, putting food on a plate. When MiMi joined them Willa shook her head. “Right, help yourself.”
“I have,” MiMi said and licked a finger. “So Ryan is going to prison. Good.”
“He’s cutting a deal with the DA. He claims that he never meant to kill Jack; that he just wanted to talk to him. Things got heated and he blacked out. His lawyer is going for manslaughter,” Willa said, the words dry and bitter on her tongue.
“Bull, he intended to kill Jack and blame it on Felipe. Not that Felipe ain’t a killer, but at least send a dude up for what he really did. That’s all I’m sayin’,” Jazz replied. “Ryan says he blacked out, huh? Going for the insanity defense. Please.”
“What else could he do once they found that gun in the lake at his camp?” MiMi sipped from a glass of soda.
“Mr. and Mrs. Crown are standing by him. They hired one of the best criminal defense teams in the state,” Willa went the fridge and got a soda then sat down again. “I guess Ryan finally succeeded in getting all of his parents’ attention.”
“And I thought my family was messed up,” Jazz retorted.
MiMi gave a sigh as she dabbed tomato sauce from her lips. “Ladies, we wrapped up this case quite neatly.”
“We?” Jazz and Willa said in unison.
“Between the three of us we helped the police get at the truth. That last scene with Ryan and Anthony was so scary. All’s well that ends well though.” MiMi sighed then chewed on a piece of garlic bread.
“Ends well is not how I would describe what happened,” Willa said. “My son narrowly missed being charged with felony assault, not to mention illegal possession of a weapon. As it is he’ll be lucky to escape with probation and community service.”
“He was holding a gun on a member of the Crown family,” MiMi said. “Still Ryan is swimming in deep hot water right about now. His priority won’t be pressing charges against his own nephew.”
“Anthony is not his nephew in any sense of the word. I want to hurl every time I think how Ryan pretended to care about my son.” Willa frowned.
“MiMi is right though. Miller and his partner explained the facts of life to Ryan. Actually what Anthony did was self-defense. And remember it was Ryan’s gun.” Jazz laughed. “I told you Anthony could whip his ass. Took that fool’s own gun away from him.”
“So you’re proud that Anthony is good at playing the innocent and luring in victims-- that he acted like a mafia hit man?” Willa asked. “See that’s what I’m talking about. Your values are all twisted up.”
Jazz cut her off with a raised palm. “Hey, you were the one who married an upper-class player and inherited his slimy family. And you have the nerve to criticize my friends? Please.”
“Stop,” MiMi commanded with such authority that both sisters blinked at her in surprise. Willa and Jazz lapsed into sulking silence. MiMi sighed. “What am I going to do with you two? We’ve all made mistakes. But in spite of everything Jazz stepped up when you and Anthony needed her most. She put self-interest
aside to do it, too. Mostly.”
“At least somebody appreciates what I did.” Jazz stared at the ceiling.
MiMi gave Willa’s shoulder a shove. “A ‘Thank you’ would be appropriate about now.”
Willa didn’t answer right away. She gazed at Jazz’s rigid back. Then she let out the breath she was holding. “Thanks, Jazz. You showed up on time for us.”
“Jazz?” MiMi prompted.
When Jazz didn’t move or respond Willa blinked back a tear. “It’s just that I get so scared at the life you lead. I’d do anything to keep my family safe. Sometimes I go about it the wrong way. Like with Anthony. I screwed that up big time.”
“You’ve got your faults, but being a bad mother isn’t one of them. He’s blessed to have you,” Jazz said after a few seconds.
“Don’t forget about his resourceful protective aunt,” Willa added with a smile.
“Yeah, well.” Jazz shrugged. Her shoulders relaxed and she turned a little toward them again.
MiMi put an arm around Willa and Jazz. “See? We’re a team, like one of those old school singing groups. The Supremes, I’m Diana Ross of course.”
“They split and ended up hating each other,” Willa said.
“So forget that example. Now we have to figure out how to get the money Jack moved to those off shore accounts.” MiMi switched gears quickly.
“Count me out. Those detectives are on my back as it is because of this mess. I think Miller is almost convinced I told him everything. I’m not going near laundered money, at least for a while.” Jazz said. “Maybe a few months, and a new crime wave will keep the cops busy.”
“True. The police have no evidence that money is dirty,” MiMi replied quickly. “My lawyer told me so. They can’t touch Jack’s estate so we can proceed to— ”
“I’m the executor of Jack’s estate,” Willa reminded MiMi. She carefully removed MiMi’s arm from around her shoulder. “I’ll handle the account at the proper time. I talked to my lawyer. I can’t touch that money until the succession is complete. So don’t either of you make plans to spend gobs of cash.”