The Conway's Conspiracy

by Joubert Richardson

  Money had deeply corrupted them and they had become extremely capricious. It took Peter’s earnest plea and Jonass’ persuasive talent to appease the two villains.

  Miriam was a regenerating force in Peter’s life. Her honesty and love for him had brought the brothers to the realization she could be useful. Jonass made a flexible tool out of her.

  Twenty-five years old, slender with a burning look and a swinging gait, she was what we call a pretty woman. Her sensuality was entrancing. A slight tic in a corner of her upper lip made her pronounce words in babble. “Charming handicap…” the enamored Peter said adoringly.

  Her romantic relationship with the brothers was intriguing. Garry said she was a springy flower with divine aroma and

  Jonass trusted her. She was set to play a major role in their criminal career.

  Miriam had been an orphan most of her life. Her aunt, Martha Coloriss, took her in at the age of five after her mother’s death in a car accident. She never knew her father.

  The two women lived in a little house, a few miles from Montego Bay. Martha was weak and unable to face adversity. Dominated by her beautiful niece, she lived under her law. Miriam had become the breadwinner and ensured the economic survival of the household.

  She had a brother, named Bogarr, who lived with their grandmother, a sixty-eight-year-old widow. The young man was a laughingstock but she loved him very much. Peter invited Bogarr to the villa and introduced him to Jonass.

  Immediately, the ringleader found a way to exploit the situation. Showing sudden generosity, he engaged a broker to find home for “those dear parents”. He personally went out to evaluate properties for sale and chose a two-bedroom house, fifteen miles from the city. After acquiring the place in the name of Bogarr Coloriss, he and Peter locked themselves in the basement for a week; they then gave it up.

  Convinced the incredible gesture was genuine, Bogarr and Grandma showed relentless gratitude. The old lady wanted to prepare all the brothers’ meals and hundreds of exotic recipes were tested. “Nass” put an end to it, banishing Bogarr and Grandma “to get rid of the gossipers”.

  When a worried Peter insisted to get a better explanation, the ringleader answered with a hint of disdainful arrogance, “Those guys are tomorrow’s enemies… Their presence un- dermines our strategy... Keep working with Mimi but avoid their stupid company… It exposes a dangerous alliance...”

  A few days later, he convinced Miriam to allow installa- tion of a radio apparatus in the house where she lived with her aunt. For security reasons, he argued, nobody, besides her, should use it.

  To the girl’s naive objection, Jonass answered it was an anticipated measure designed to scientifically test a new kind of radio station. Touching a button, Mimi could now communicate with them. She felt something fishy was going on; but, overwhelmed and in love, she opposed no serious resistance.

  Among other security measures, the brothers sent spies around Montego Bay with instruction to immediately report “the news of the city”. A dozen well-paid henchmen were deployed under different camouflages. Most of them went on bingeing in the slums’ shady taverns, playing pool, and toasting like miserable pimps. A couple of them took it seriously and followed up. On a rainy winter night, they brought news that a large cohort of FBI agents were in town. They came from Florida.

  Jonass’ antennas had transmitted a dreadful message. It was time to move out.

  The ringleader showed stunning alertness and speed. Using the name of an associate, he rented the Sunset Villa, on the border of John Crow Mountain, and sent out a vanguard for inspection. Miriam and two confederates running in front, he slipped away with his brothers.

  They had escaped, in extremis. Without Jonass’ providence and action, they would have been caught the following morning. Two disgruntled domestics, binge companions fired for impertinence, guided the cops to the villa. Galiss, Bogatt, Graham, and Canamera, with a number of local policemen, entered the place and searched it. They found the “huge rest” of a seven-month-long feast.

  The die was cast. Now, the bloody adventure would have to end with the gangsters’ death or capture.

  Montego Bay Police Department offered total cooperation. The relentless search created an unsafe environment in and around the city. From time to time, inflammatory bulletins informed the population on the progress of the police action.

  “Let’s chase together the American murderers who invaded our beautiful land…” the police spokesman screamed stridently.

  With communiqués and memoranda, the authorities asked for help to quickly catch the gangsters.

  In their refuge, the Conway brothers took new security measures. The radio transmitted revealing information and they used it wisely. As ringleader, Jonass was relentless. More than ever, he played the central role in his brothers’ tormented lives.

  “Miriam is worthy of trust,” he said to them during one of their numerous meetings. “Our situation is desperate and we must use all cards available… I’ve decided to get her involved.”

  The four men agreed and Jonathan asked Peter to go get the young woman. The Atlanta vagabond went outside and, a moment later, came back with Miriam.

  She wore a black dress and shoes of same color. A pink scarf rounded her neck and braids of hair cascaded on her shoulders. She had tears in her eyes.

  Jonass looked at her, nodded, and said in a compassionate tone, “Sister, the time has come for us to be open with you. We’ve sufficient proof of your loyalty and this conversation will determine the fate of our relationship… By now, you must know we’re the people the radio is talking about. Your apprehensions are well understood. I here affirm that only my imperative order has prevented Peter from sharing the secret with you. You’re free to go… Peter will respect your decision because your safety is his primary concern...”

  “Nass” stared at Mimi and added in a puzzling way, “At this grave moment, now and definitely, I ask you, sister, to answer this question: yes or no, will you work with us?”

  For a few seconds, the young woman stayed mute and rigid; she then walked toward Peter and kissed him on his lips. “Pete, you know I could never go… I’m with you forever...” And she started sobbing.

  Jonass smiled cunningly. He had got what he wanted. Miriam will remain a tool in his hands. Immediately, he stepped up.

  “We’re rich,” he sniggered with a coy glance at his brothers; “rich with no freedom… Do I’ve to tell you one is worth nothing without the other? Here and now, we must take life and death decisions. Sister, you’ll help us… But you must leave to be useful...”

  Taking a briefcase, he opened it and examined its content. “Sister,” he said carefully, “this briefcase contains one hundred thousand dollars... You’ll use this money to unblock our way out of Jamaica... Do good baby… We’ll be forever grateful…”

  He handed the briefcase to Miriam. She nodded and took it timidly.

  “I’m talking to you, Mimi, as to a close member of my family…” Jonas sounded nice and endearing. “You really are my sister.” .

  He hugged her tightly. “A mistake can be deadly and you must pay much attention to what I tell you,” he reiterated with insidious force. “As soon as you receive word of our escape, go to Port of Spain, in Trinidad & Tobago. San Marco hotel is our meeting point... You’ll ask for Jack Montag…”

  Miriam pulled a pen and wrote down the information.

  “Remember,” Jonass continued with a commanding voice; “as a contingency plan, you must follow the course of our action in order to intervene, if needed. With that money, you’ll be efficient... You’ve got to be restless in searching and finding ways to help us out… Do not hesitate to use your body and soul…”

  He stared at her. “We’re taking necessary steps to flee…” he revealed without concern. “We should soon be out of Jamaica…”

  One after the other, the brothers hugged the young woman. Jonass screamed frantically, “Sister, oh, my sister… Godspeed…”

&
nbsp; Peter took Miriam’s hand and they went to the dining room where they remained for a long moment; they then returned to the living room.

  Three bodyguards had accompanied the brothers when they fled Coconut-Palm Villa. They were patrolling their new refuge. The most trusted was Dollon Chapotto. Jonathan called him and asked that he accompanied Miriam to her house. After another moving hug, the bandits and the young woman split. Tears flowing on her face, Miriam ran away with Chapotto.

  After her departure, Jonass said to his brothers, “Tomorrow will be big... We’ll have to strengthen our forces and cross the city. I’m going to get some rest. I advise you to do the same,” he entered his room and lay down on the bed.

  At ten o’clock in the night, Chapotto returned in a panic. Running around like a madman, the bodyguard yelled wildly, “We must leave… The cops are coming…”

  The brothers seemed astonished. They looked at him wide-eyed.

  “What happened?” asked Jonathan.

  “They are putting barricades…” Chapotto was dramatic.

  “How many are they?” inquired Peter.

  “Twenty... Forty… I don’t know…” the bodyguard answered with extreme agitation.

  Awoken by the noise, Jonass ran in the front yard.

  “What’s going on?” he anxiously asked his brothers.

  “Chapotto said the police are coming…” screamed Edward. “We’ve to leave...”

  Jonass called the bodyguard. “Man, what did you see?”

  “The cops… They’re surrounding the villa…” he answered in a burst of emotion.

  “Where is Miriam?” Peter asked apprehensively.

  “I accompanied her home and was almost caught on the way back,” answered Chapotto. “That’s why I’m so late.”

  “Dammit…” Jonathan’s voice was stunning. “It’s time…”

  Jonass looked at him and nodded, “Yeah... It’s time...”

  Grabbing the radio apparatus and a few other things, they ran toward John Crow Mountain. Under the cover of darkness, they sank in the jungle. But the cops had surrounded the area. Their relentlessly effort followed on the heels of the protagonists of the Hauss & Caust’s massacre.

  CHAPTER 8

  The Confrontation

  In the Montego Bay Police Headquarters, Galiss, Graham, Canamera, and Arthur Bogatt, together with officers from the city’s Anti-gang Division, were ready for the ultimate offensive. They had cornered the bandits and barricades had been erected around the mountain where they hid. The local troops showed great enthusiasm. Before going to the theater of police operation, Galiss talked to their commander.

  “I’m satisfied with the work of your troops,” he said to Javens Galott, a Jamaican Lieutenant. “They act like true policemen. The gangsters are trapped and have no chance to escape… In Sunset Villa, we found clothes, shoes, photos, and a few pieces of jewelry.”

  “They’re done,” the Lieutenant replied excitedly. “The borders are closed and our troops face no resistance.”

  “Let’s not count the chickens before they’re hatched…” said Bogatt. “Those bandits are well-armed and will fight to their last breath. They’re desperados.”

  “Our strategy allows no exit,” Canamera replied with confidence. “They’re in big trouble.”

  “I believe so,” added Graham. “It would be a miracle for them to get away.”

  “Lieutenant,” said Galiss, “we’re going to launch the attack. Any suggestion…?”

  “Everything is in place,” Javens waved to him. “The timing is right…”

  Galiss smiled and shook his head. “Let’s go get them!”

  They took place in a Jeep driven by Javens. Arrived on the theater of action, they quickly walked toward a tent put up on the mountain’s southern border. Some soldiers came up and stood at attention. Sergeant Jarrig Propilo, the commanding officer, made a summary report, “We took over Sunset Villa and encircled the mountain. What are our orders?”

  “Is the perimeter well surrounded?” asked Galiss.

  “On the Westside, the situation is not clear…” Jarrig answered nervously. “Our troops are thin …”

  “It’s a mistake!” Galiss was loud and forceful. “There should be no passage through the net...”

  Turning toward Javens, he said frantically, “Lieutenant, you’ve to reinforce the Westside… It’s a vulnerable area…”

  Javens called the headquarters to get more troops. They asked him to wait. Running away, Galiss went to inspect the Westside. In the meantime, Graham, Canamera, and Bogatt did their best to coordinate the operation. A number of squads were formed and ordered to climb the mountain north-south and east-west. Galiss came back and asked the Lieutenant to send a couple of squads to the Westside. Javens gave orders and reassured the detective, “Don’t worry... We’ll break their teeth…”

  The delegate pinched his lips. The Lieutenant’s bravado was not realistic.

  “How many squads do we have?” he inquired with obvious trepidation.

  “Five,” Javens answered timidly.

  “It’s not enough,” said Galiss. “It’ll take more than that...”

  Again, Javens called the headquarters; again, they asked him to wait.

  “I want to speak to the chief…” he argued with the interlocutor on the other end of the line.

  The chief was busy.

  “We can’t wait…” yelled Galiss. “The bandits will get away.”

  “Let’s go…” Canamera shouted with a resounding voice. “We’ll adjust when the other troops arrive.”

  Javens ordered Sergeant Propilo to form ranks and take positions. Speedily, Graham, Canamera, and Bogatt moved up in front.

  “Go straight ahead…” Galiss said to them. “We’ll follow with the other troops…”

  Graham waved and, in orderly fashion, the soldiers started climbing the mountain.

  “Jarrig,” asked Javens, “did you place some sentinels in Sunset Villa?”

  “Yes, commander…” he answered nervously.

  “Go over there…” Javens ordered him. “You’ve to stay on alert until I send someone to relieve you… Understand?”

  Jarrig snapped to attention, made an about-face, and left.

  * * *

  Alone in her bedroom, Miriam listened to the radio. The words clashed with her thoughts and echoed harshly in her mind. “The gangsters are cornered... They can’t get away... The brave people of Montego Bay work with the police... They’re trapped… They hide on John Crow Mountain... The police are launching the final attack... They’ll be captured before dawn...”

  The young woman turned the radio down and cried all she could. For a long moment, tears streaked all over her face. Suddenly, somebody knocked on the door. It was her aunt Martha.

  “I’m busy…” Miriam bawled moodily.

  “Do you need something?” asked Martha.

  “No...” she jerked as she heard a noise in the radio installed by the Conway brothers. She quickly picked up the receiver. A voice resounded, hesitant and fearful, “Mimi, are you there?”

  “Pete…?” she asked apprehensively.

  “Yeah, it’s me…” answered the voice.

  “Are you okay?” said Miriam.

  “Baby, we’re in grave danger...” replied the voice. “Jonass wants to talk to you…”

  A moment later, the ringleader took over. “Sister, how are you doing? It’s me, Nass… Can you hear?”

  “Yes,” answered Miriam.

  “We need help…” said Jonass.

  “Yeah…” she could hardly contain her emotion.

  “Go see Garth…” instructed Jonass. “He will help…”

  “Who...?” Miriam sounded incredulous.

  “Garth Propilo…” said Jonass. “I gave you his address… Go see him…”

  “Okay...” replied Miriam.

  “Don’t waste time,” insisted Jonass. “Get in touch with him… Without help, we’re dead... Tell Garth to talk to Jarrig…
He is a commanding officer…”

  “How do you know that?” asked Miriam.

  “We heard it on the radio…” answered Jonass.

  “Okay,” mumbled Miriam. “I’m going to see him…”

  “Give him thirty thousand dollars,” said Jonass. “Do whatever it takes…”

  “Yes…” she answered obediently.

  “Sister, can I count on you?” pressed Jonass.

  “Yes,” replied Miriam. “I’ll do my best…”

  “Give it all you’ve, babe...” yelled Jonass. “You’re our last hope…”

  “Okay...” her voice was almost inaudible.

  “Hey…” said Jonass. “Pete wants to talk to you…”

  She heard Peter’s voice. “Hey, Mimi…?”

  “I’m here...” she answered dolefully. “I’m listening…”

  “Do your best, okay?” asserted Peter. “You’re our only hope…”

  “Okay...” she mumbled in a grievous tone.

  “Did they try to track you down?” asked Peter.

  “No…” answered Miriam. “Nobody talked to me…”

  “Is Martha all right?” he inquired gently.

  “Yes,” she replied. “We’re cautious…”

  “I miss you, darling...” he said with amorous fervor.

  “Me too,” she answered without hesitation.

  “Go see Garth, okay?” he reiterated fearfully.

  “Okay… I will…” she heard Jonass’ voice in the background asking Peter to cut off the communication. The longer they talked the better was the chance for police interception.

  She put the receiver down, ran to her bedroom, got dressed, and left hurriedly. Outside, she stopped a taxi and the driver took her to Garth’s address, on the Southside of Montego Bay. Stepping wildly out of the vehicle, she crossed the street and entered a building.

  It was an apartment complex built in the dawn of the century. Time had deeply eroded its structure and the walls were alarmingly decrepit. The Housing Department had marked it as a public hazard and the whole building would be soon demolished.