Status Quo_The Last Ones Standing

by Monique Chanae

  “I want to be more hands on, T. I want to be able to look every man my Husband had a contract with in his eyes. It’s not like I didn’t know what was going on before but now I feel like I need to be more present to ensure that Trent is not forgotten.” Terrence rubbed his chin and thought in silence for a moment. He heard the passion in which she spoke and he knew she was serious. He knew Nefertari was no dummy and as long as Jason was by her side, she’d be okay but he had to make sure she knew what she was asking for.

  “The journey you’re about to embark on ain’t a pretty one, Tari. It’s not just you that you have to think about. All your decisions from here on our will effect Kiyan as well… Jason can handle himself and Chase but you dipping your hands in the pot could get a whole lot of shit bubbling, if you catch my drift.” He wasn’t speaking to scare her or turn her away but he was offering her advice and warnings.

  “I know but I’m not changing my mind, Terrence. I told you I have to do this.” Nefertari said maintaining her previous stance.

  “I know you’re not backing down, baby but I just have to be sure you know what you’re asking for… Get the funeral business squared away and on your next visit to me, we’ll go from there. I’m going to try and make a few phone calls on my end to help out.” A set of keys jingling could be heard in the distance and that was Terrence’s cue to wrap up the conversation. “I love you, baby girl.”

  “I love you too, Terrence.” Nefertari disconnected the call to Terrence and laid back on the bed thinking of everything he had just said. Finding Trent’s murderer was not going to be a cakewalk and she had to stop letting her emotions get the best of her. She had to operate like she would at work; with clear focus and objective. And the time to start was now.

  Chapter 6

  Nefertari wasted no time heeding her father-in-law’s advice. She immediately got to work setting up Trent’s funeral arrangements and the day before the services, she hired her own surveillance team to set up additional equipment. It cost her a couple extra thousands to pay off the funeral home but the end result would be completely worth it.

  Just like Terrence had projected, the entire state of Illinois came out to pay their final respects to Trent Stevens. Outside of his trucking company and illegal entities, Trent did a lot of charity work for several of the Boys and Girls clubs in the area as well as volunteering himself and his services twice a year at soup kitchens during the holidays. Several statesmen and community leaders came to pay their respects at the wake and Nefertari made note of each and every one of them. When it was time for the funeral more than half of the mourners had made their exit making it that much easier for Nefertari to make mental note of who stayed and what kind of connection they had with her husband.

  During the ceremony, Nefertari couldn’t help but notice that the room was jam-packed with people. She sat with Kiyan sleeping on her lap while her mother Adele and her father Nick Parker flanked one side of her and Jason and Chase flanked the other. Jason had taken extra precautions as well to keep them all safe as there were men planted all around the sanctuary, the hallways, and outside the premises. Everyone who entered was being watched whether they knew it or not and Nefertari made sure she was making mental notes.

  After the burial, Jason and Chase hosted a repass celebration at the Marriot hotel downtown and one by one, guests began to trickle in. Nefertari watched as Kiyan played with a few of the other kids whose parents were friends of hers and Trent’s. Although her son was going through a traumatic time in his young life, Nefertari was happy that she could still see him smile.

  “It’ll all be over soon, baby.” She whispered to herself watching her son play in the distance. Glancing around the room, Nefertari was eying everyone with suspicion because she couldn’t say she knew who had murdered her husband.

  “You shouldn’t work yourself to death, Tari.” Her mother Adele said as she walked up behind her daughter and gently touched her arm.

  “I know mama but this is hard.” She admitted. “I never in a million years thought I would have to bury my best friend.”

  “I know you didn’t baby. I don’t think there’s anything in life that could prepare you for a moment like this. But sometimes death doesn’t mean goodbye; this is just an I’ll miss you until we meet again.”

  “Your mother is right, Tari. Trent knew how much you loved him and even in the afterlife your love for that boy won’t die and vice versa. The love you two had was the stuff people search their whole lives for. You’ve got to cherish your memories of your husband and hold onto them so that someday you can pass them down to Kiyan. He’s going to need to be reminded just how great his father was.” Her father Nick said as he walked over to his wife and held one hand while Nefertari held the other. Everything her parents said to her was true and she thanked them for reminding her of what was important. She stood and spoke with them for a few moments before her eyes drifted over to the doorway where a familiar face entered smiling and speaking to a few of the guests. Nefertari excused herself from her parents and went over to where he stood.

  “This is a long way from Vegas isn’t it, Mr. Ziegler?” she chuckled standing behind him. He immediately caught onto the voice and turned on his heels to face her.

  “Tari from the block! Look at you girl!” he embraced her in a hug which she returned and then stepped back from. “It’s been a long time, T.” Carter Ziegler, a childhood friend of hers and Trent’s said.

  “It has.” She replied and suddenly a few seconds had gone by before either spoke again.

  “I hate that it took Trent dying to get us all together again. It looks like half of Rockford is in here.” He said glancing around at all their old friends and associates.

  “Yeah the whole crew is here. Jason, Bobby, even Hendricks from around the corner is wandering around here somewhere. Trent loved you guys and I just really appreciate that you all came to see him off.” Nefertari spoke with pride but in his eyes he could tell she was hurting. Never the one to deal well with emotions, Carter prepared to jet off but not before lending Nefertari a few words.

  “Tari, Trent was good people and I had nothing but love for him. Look, I’m going to be in town for a while and I still know a couple of cats who play the streets; I’m going to be your extra set of eyes and ears out there until we find out who killed Trent.”

  “Thank you, Carter.” Nefertari nodded her head thankfully and watched as he disappeared through the crowd. Before she could spot him again, a hand gently tugged at her elbow and she turned around with a scowl plastered on.

  “Whoa, easy tiger!” Trent’s godfather and Terrence’s best friend Skip joked. When Nefertari saw Skip’s face, her eyes lit up as she went to hug him.

  “You scared me. How have you been Skip?”

  “Yeah but I know you can hold your own… Hey, was that Carter Ziegler you were just talking to?” Skip asked as he and Nefertari walked out to the veranda for privacy.

  “Yeah that was him, says he’ll be in town for a bit… It’s good to see you Skip.”

  “You too, Tari. I spoke to Terrence the other day and he told me about this new role you’re thinking about taking on. Understand that this business is not for the faint of heart and them niggas are not going to go easy on you because you’re a woman.”

  “I wouldn’t expect them to.”

  “Good. I’m going to get up with you later on this week to go over some of these changes you want to make Boss Lady.” Skip chuckled and Nefertari giggled. Skip began making his way back inside and stop midway when he realized Nefertari wasn’t following him.

  “Go on ahead, I’ll be there in a sec. I just really need some fresh air.”

  “You got it.” Once Nefertari watched Skip close the door behind him, she released a breath she hadn’t even realized she was holding. She called herself keeping busy with all the preparations, but truth be told she was trying to block images of Trent out. It was too painful to think of him without her mind drifting to her witnessing him taking h
is final breath. That visual alone gave her the courage and strength she knew she needed to become a visual part of Sven Power and all its impending dealings.

  “Your head was always bigger than your body.” A familiar voice chuckled from behind her. Nefertari knew the voice just as well as she knew her own, she just couldn’t believe it. Slowly she turned around and faced her brother whom she hadn’t seen in nearly a year. Without exchanging any words, he opened his arms to receive her and she raced over to him hugging him and releasing tears all at the same time.

  “I’ve missed you, sis.”

  “I’ve missed you too, Will.”

  “Sorry I missed the funeral. I got caught up at the last minute finishing up some things. Damn, I can’t believe Trent is really gone. He was a cool dude.”

  “I can’t believe it either… Wait a minute, I never got a chance to call you. How did you know about today?”

  “You know Ma and Pop called me. When it comes to family they surely don’t miss a beat. It’s been entirely too long, sis but I promise all of that is about to change.”

  “What do you mean?” Nefertari asked stepping back from her brother and eyeing him suspiciously.

  “A lot has changed in the last year sis. But this isn’t the place to discuss any of that. I’ll get up with you tomorrow alright?”

  “Will, are you okay? Are you in some kind of trouble and don’t lie to me!” Nefertari’s mind was going crazy as she thought of the possibility of Will being in some sort of danger. He looked at the confusion etched in her face and chuckled heartily again. Nefertari threw her hands on her hip and looked him square in the eyes.

  “Chill out, Tari. I promise you I’m good. Look I’ll call you tomorrow and we can meet up for lunch or something. I’m going to go kick it with my nephew for a little bit before I get up out of here. I love you sis and be strong. I know Trent was your other half, but his memory will make you even stronger. Believe that.” Will gave his sister one more hug and a kiss on the cheek before stepping off the veranda and back into the hall with the other guests. Nefertari watched her brother as he made his way over to Kiyan who’s five-year-old eyes lit up with excitement when he saw his uncle. Seeing her son smile made Nefertari smile, even if it was just for the moment.

  Chapter 7

  Nefertari awoke the next morning to find herself alone in the Hennessey residence. Running to the spare bedroom where Kiyan had been sleeping last night she had found a handwritten note in the place where her child should have been laying.

  “Hey Sis, I’m taking my Godson to the batting cages and then out to the gym with me today. You know, man shit. Chill out and know you’re not in this by yourself. Family first! Love J”

  Nefertari smiled after reading Jason’s letter to her and after calling to talk to Kiyan who was ecstatic about spending the day with Jason, she relaxed a little. She had opted to take a personal day at work because she knew her mind would be all over the place. After tidying up Jason and Chase’s place, she decided that she couldn’t just sit around lounging either. She wanted answers and there was no way she was going to get them being inactive. Grabbing up her bags, she started en route to the house she thought she’d never step foot back inside.

  A cold chill swept through the air the minute Nefertari entered. She hadn’t stepped foot back into the house since she grabbed the last bit of her and Kiyan’s things but last night she had a dream where she reimagined Trent sitting at a round table style meeting in his office and everyone at the table wore a mask except Jason and it immediately sent chills up her spine. She knew the dream held a hidden message and she was determined to decipher it. Sitting behind his desk, she took out his iPad and began searching the backup planner he had loaded on the device. He used to jot down the littlest things and it was baffling her that he had nothing saved for his meeting on that fateful night. As she scrolled through the pages of his planner a familiar name popped up and, seeing it baffled her. What business does he have with Trent, she asked herself aloud? For a moment she pondered calling up Jason again to ask him but then she decided to go directly to the source. Taking her cell phone out of her purse she dialed the number and waited for a response. Picking up on the second ring Will chuckled as he unbuttoned his dress shirt and tossed it on the bed.

  “Our minds must be interconnected sis because I swear to you I was just about to give you a call to set up that lunch date.”

  “Oh really? How long are you in town for anyway, Will? I know you hate to be away from your work in Cali.”

  “Aww is that a twinge of jealousy I hear in your voice Tari?” he teased her. “But don’t worry, my business will be fine until I get back. Look, I just got back to my suite. Do you want to meet up someplace?”

  “How about I head over there now and bring you your favorite meal from Stella’s?” Nefertari hit the print button on the iPad and then moved over to the wireless printer to retrieve the document she had just printed. She then tossed it into a folder along with some other papers and regathered her things to head back out the door.

  “Sounds like a plan. I’m going to jump in the shower right quick, but I should be out by the time you get here. I remember how you drive.”

  “Keep making fun of my driving, Will and see how fast I run your butt over. I only totaled one of Daddy’s cars when I was younger, you all have got to get past that.” She giggled.

  “Nope, no can do, Speed Demon; I was there and I saw you crash land into that hydrant, I can just hear you begging me not to tell Pop know. And the look on your face when he pulled up on the blow was priceless!” Will laughed taking a trip down memory lane.

  “Will, I’m going to sell you eBay.”

  “Nope, I’m unsellable. I’ll see you when you get here.”

  “Gotcha.” A few seconds later Nefertari was hopping in her truck ad heading to Stella’s to grab their food. Once she left there, she set her GPS to the hotel’s address. Determining that it was about thirty minutes away, Nefertari set the radio and began her drive and her approach.

  Nefertari strutted to the suite number that Will had given her. She took a deep breath as she switched some of the bags she was carrying to her left hand so that she could knock with her right. After three knocks the door opened and Will stood there with a big smile on his face. It was always hard not to smile back at him when he showed those deep dimples of his.

  "Boy are you just going to stand there smiling all crazy or help me with these bags?" Will chuckled as he grabbed all the bags out her hand.

  "Your peanut head butt never did like to carry bags. I see nothing changed about that." He turned to walk back inside. Tari closed the door then popped him on the back of the head as she walked pass him.

  "Why should I have to carry bags when I have a big brother who can do all that for me? Come on man use that apple seed brain of yours." She said causing them to both laugh. They both took a seat at the table and stared at one another for a minute. Nefertari diverted her eyes downwards before glancing back up and locking eyes with Will who had never stopped staring at her.

  “What?” she laughed.

  “You always were a goof ball.” He burst out and started laughing. “But for real sis, I’m happy to see you. I know when I moved away to school my trips back home became less and less frequent until they became nonexistent all together and I’m sorry for that. We lost a lot of years with me being away and just making pop-up visits here and there.” Nefertari stopped her brother before he could continue speaking.

  “Will, stop. I’m not mad at you. In fact, I’m proud. When you went off to Cali, yeah I was upset but I knew that my brother was going out there to make something of himself. And now look at you, you’re an esteemed businessman. You’ve come a long way bro.”

  “Tari, there’s something I need to tell you about my business back in Cali.”

  “What? You’re opening up yet another shop?” she laughed as she opened up one of the food containers and inhaled the delicious aroma.

  “No…
Do you remember Julian? You guys met him once or twice when you came to visit me.”

  “Yeah, what about him?”

  “Well he passed away about a year ago and before he did, left me with me something other men would obviously kill for.” Nefertari scrunched her face up suspiciously and gave Will her undivided attention.

  “What is it?”

  “He left me in charge of his estate.”

  Nefertari paused for a moment before she spoke. "Wait, didn't he have his hand in a lot of things? Like he owned several businesses." She asked.

  "Yes, and now it all belongs to me."

  Nefertari sat back in her chair and blew out a long breath. "That probably explains a few of the things I was curious about."

  Will gave her a raised eyebrow expression. "Like what?"

  "Like what kind of dealings you and Trent had." She made eye contact with him.

  Will slid his hand down his face. He had asked Trent not to say a word to Nefertari about their arrangement, but she seemed to have found out about it on her own. Nefertari studied the expression on his face for a moment before she continued talking. "I found your name and number on Trent’s iPad. I didn't know why he had your name in there, but now I know you guys did some sort of business together. Now I just need you to tell me what type of business that was."

  Will washed his hand over his face again and stared at Nefertari who was looking at him expressionless. "Trent did business with Julian before he passed away. I was their middle man so to speak. He supplied Julian with any weapons of his choice. When Julian died everything was handed down to me." He waited to see if she caught on to what he was saying.

  "So wait, you're saying you're in the firearms business? In what capacity Will?"

  "Trent become my supplier of firearms when Julian passed away. Tari, what you don't know is that while I was out in Cali I wasn't just Julian's chauffeur. I was his bodyguard and if need be, I took care of any problems that came his way. I did what needed to be done in order for me to survive out there. Julian taught me how to do that."