60 Minutes

by Fire

  “First things first, can we agree that your ass take a bodyguard with you when you step foot out of this house? I’m pretty sure the piss-on that was following you was probably somebody that was trying to cash in on Samuel’s bounty. I don’t know what I would do if something were to happen to you.” Jani’rah said with sincerity in her voice.

  That made Claudia smile. “Awh the big bad wolf does have a heart. You do love me.” Claudia teased.

  Jani’rah shot her a “whatever bitch” look. “I love you and all, but I said that because I already have problems with Samuel’s ass and I don’t know what I would do if Uncle Patrice comes from Haiti looking for me.” Jani’rah half joked.

  Claudia was the only daughter out of four children, and although Jani’rah’s uncle raised some of the roughest sons in Haiti, his daughter was his prized possession. Before Jani’rah moved Claudia to the states, her uncle made it very clear that his baby return in one piece.

  “You know my father will never hurt you; besides, I ain’t going nowhere,” Claudia said then continued to drink her beverage.

  “Shit, he better not! On a lighter note, when do you think you gonna let your girl in on what we doing? This problem has to go away ASAP because business is slacking; most of the girls are backing out on me due to the disappearance of Tasha.” Jani’rah hated to admit it but Samuel had her girls shook.

  “I’m going to call her tomorrow and swing by her house to let her know the plan. If she agrees then good; but if she doesn’t, I’m going to have to silence her because we don’t need another case on our hands.”

  As the girls were talking, Jani’rah’s phone began to ring.

  “Hello. Hey Hanz. Really? You think we can trust them? All right, I trust your judgment. Around nine is cool. Talk to you then.” Jani’rah ended her phone call with Hanz and saw that Claudia had been anxious to find out what the call was about. “Boy, I hope this works out.” Jani’rah said out loud.

  “Did he find some more bodyguards?” Claudia asked.

  “That he did. He’s bringing them over tonight. He said it’s about five of them, but they are deadly.” Jani’rah said as she got up off of the couch to tell her chef to prepare a meal for her guests.

  BOOM!

  A loud crashing noise came from outside. Claudia quickly jumped up and grabbed her gun. Jani’rah did the same and grabbed her AK47 from under the cushion of the couch. “Stay down and follow me upstairs to my room.” Jani’rah said in a low whisper. As they made their way upstairs, they heard gunfire coming from outside followed by the crashing sounds of her windows in the living room.

  When they got to Jani’rah’s room, Jani’rah hit a button on the wall that made a forty-inch screen come down from her ceiling. The screen showed the events happening outside of her home. They watched as her bodyguards fired back at two masked men. Yeah, it was five against two, but the masked men had hand machine guns and had already taken out two of the guards. Jani’rah thought that they were going to be successful and gain access into her house until the same black Lexus that had followed Claudia home earlier crept up and finished them off, then sped away just as quickly as they came. They watched as the guards walked through the gates, which were now hanging from the hinges due to the bomb that the attackers had used to blow it from its locks. Jani’rah couldn’t take it anymore.

  “Ils viennent a ma masion. Ouais quelqu’unna mourir!” she yelled out in frustration. Claudia knew that her cousin was pissed; because the only time she spoke in French was when she had enough of a situation and was ready to go to war.

  Seeing that the coast was clear, Claudia felt it was time to get Montica in on what they were doing to get things over with ASAP. She knew it was late, but desperate times called for desperate measures.

  The voicemail picked up. “Hey Tica, this is Claudia. Sorry to be calling so late, but I have a $20,000 business proposition for you. When you get this message hit me back.” Claudia hung up the phone and followed Jani’rah downstairs to access the damage.

  One hour later, Jani’rah and Claudia were frustrated from repeating the same story to the police. They didn’t give them any information, just what was obvious.

  “Thanks Ms. Jean.” the officer said as he closed his notepad. “Hopefully, there isn’t another attack. Please call us down at the station if you can think of any reason why someone would do this,” he said as he walked away. Before getting in his car, he turned back and said, “Congrats on winning the case,” and gave her a wink.

  Jani’rah smiled because Officer Owens was one of her clients before she was taken into custody. They both also knew that the chance of her calling the station with information was slim to none. Jani’rah believed in street justice.

  There Are Always Casualties In War

  “I’m all ears.” Montica said, as she sat across from Claudia in Red Lobster, ready to hear how she could make $20,000. She was a little skeptical when she noticed the big black man that walked in behind Claudia, but pushed the thought to the back of her mind when she thought about the money.

  “First, I have to have your word that even if you don’t take this job, you’ll keep this information between us.” Claudia knew Montica’s fate if she didn’t agree, but of course, she couldn’t let her know that she’d be killed if she didn’t agree.

  “You have my word, but with the money you’re talkin’ you won’t have to worry about that.” Montica was already thinking about what she was going to do with the money.

  “Here’s what I’m going to need you to do,” Claudia said as she ran down the plan to Montica. By the smile on Montica’s face, Claudia knew that she was down.

  “I have just the right person to do it. One of my cousin’s is in there and I’m pretty sure he can do it, but…”

  Claudia knew the pause was about money. “Say no more. He’ll get something out of the deal. I’ll check with my people and get back to you with a number for him.” Claudia stood up and placed a $100 bill and an envelope that contained $5,000 on the table. “That’s some of the money and when everything goes according to plan you’ll get the rest,” Claudia said and walked out of the restaurant leaving Montica with her thoughts. Montica couldn’t wait until she went to work to let her cousin know what was up. Thank God they had different last names, because if it were known that they were related, Montica’s cousin would have been transferred.

  *****

  Jani’rah sat outside of Samuel’s sister Rosa’s house, waiting patiently for her to come out. She was in a car that one of Hanz’s people stole for her. After the last attempt on her life, Jani’rah had Hanz find out the whereabouts of some of Samuel’s relatives. Just her luck, his only sister lived in Fairfield, not too far from where Jani’rah lived.

  “He thinks he can have people come at me and not feel my wrath? He got another thing coming to his ass.” Jani’rah said to Hanz as he sat in the driver’s seat.

  “Are you sure you don’t want me to handle this for you?” Hanz knew that Jani’rah could carry her own, he just didn’t want her to get caught up in any more legal problems.

  “Nawh, I got this. I need to do this.” Jani’rah replied as she watched Rosa walk down the driveway holding the hand of a little girl who was no older than five years old. When she saw the little girl, Jani’rah noticed that she had a striking resemblance to Sylvia, which made her come to the conclusion that she was somehow related to them.

  Jani’rah pulled down the auburn wig she was wearing, and placed her shades on her face. She also felt bad for what she was about to do in front of the little girl. She thought about the time that her family was murdered, and how she felt after it. Her innocence was lost and she was pretty sure that the little girl’s would be too. She ignored the need to wait and headed out. “this will take no more than five minutes. Keep the car running.” She said as exited the car.

  “Excuse me ma’am,” Jani’rah called out to Rosa.

  Rosa looked over to Jani’rah. “How may I help you? I’m in a hurry.” R
osa said as she tightened her grip on the little girl’s hand.

  Cutting to the chase, Jani’rah pulled out her gun and aimed it at Rosa’s head. Rosa’s eyes grew the size of two half-dollar coins.

  “Please, please don’t do this. I have nothing to give you; please don’t shoot.”

  Jani’rah shook her head. “I’m not here to kill you,” Jani’rah lied. “By the looks of it, you’re old ass has one foot in the grave already. Tell your brother to back the hell off or I’ll finish off the rest of his family.”

  Hearing that her brother had something to do with what was happening made Rosa realize who Jani’rah was. “I have nothing to do with that. My brother does as he pleases. You should’ve thought of that before you put my niece in harm’s way. Now if you don’t mind, I have places to go,” Rosa quickly grew some courage as she realized she stood in front of her niece’s murderer.

  Jani’rah looked over to the little girl then back at Rosa. “I see you a tough old bird. Too bad it had to end this way,” Jani’rah said as she let off a round in Rosa’s chest and picked the little girl up and hurried back to the car. The little girl kicked and screamed, but she was no match for Jani’rah. Jani’rah threw her in to the backseat and quickly got into the passenger’s seat. “Go Hanz; get me out of here quick.” Jani’rah hadn’t intended on taking the little girl, but her conscience wouldn’t allow her to leave her there alone. Hopefully, she could be used as bait and Samuel would call off the bounty for the safe return of the little girl.

  What’s Done In The Dark, Always Comes To Light

  Back in Daniel’s office, as second in command, Ronnie was given the task of clearing out the office after the District Attorney’s untimely death. He looked around the office and admired all of the plaques that Daniel had hanging on his wall. “I can’t believe you’re gone D.” Ronnie said as he looked at a picture of him and Daniel that hung on the wall. It was from a skiing trip in Canada. Ronnie wasn’t just a part of Daniel’s legal team, but in the time that they worked together, they had actually become good friends.

  Ready to get the task over with, Ronnie walked over to Daniel’s desk to pack up his belongings. When he opened the first drawer, there was nothing but files of cases that had already been prosecuted. Ronnie smiled as he thought back on all of the cases that they had won together. After placing the files in the box, Ronnie noticed a picture in the corner of the drawer. When he picked it up, confusion took over him. As he looked at the picture of Jani’rah and Daniel as teenagers, he wondered why Daniel had left out the fact that they had known each other. The picture also put two and two together for Ronnie as to why Daniel had taken a bullet for Jani’rah. Their relationship added fuel to Ronnie’s hate for Jani’rah. If she hadn’t been doing what she’d been doing, his long-time friend would still be alive.

  Ronnie continued looking through the files of the case, trying to find a way to take Jani’rah into police custody; but with the other missing files, he had nothing to go on but the statements of the dead witnesses. He crumbled up the picture and made an attempt to throw it in the trashcan that sat on the other side of the room. When he got up to go pick up the picture to put it in the trashcan, he saw a broken videotape at the top of the can. The tape had Jani’rah’s case number written across it, but the tape itself was destroyed. “My God D, I hope you weren’t holding anything back to protect that bitch.” Ronnie said aloud as he continued to look through the trash.

  To Ronnie’s surprise, there were torn pictures of several different women and men coming out of hotels. Some of the same women appeared in several of the photos and he recognized some of the faces of the men as part of the city’s upper society. With each picture that Ronnie looked at, it made him more anxious and curious to know what was on the videotape. He took out his cell phone and called the Crime Scene Investigation Department.

  “Hey Teddy. This is Ronnie. If you have some extra time I need for you to try and salvage a videotape for me. Cool. I’ll be over there in ten. Thanks.” Ronnie disconnected the call, turned off the lights in Daniel’s office, and headed over to the police station with the tape and pictures in hand. He prayed that the videotape held incriminating evidence against Jani’rah.

  *****

  Ronnie and Teddy stood in front of two small computer screen monitors playing back what they were able to save from the tape. There were multiple scenes of Jani’rah murdering people, counting money, and Agent Braxton’s voice could also be heard in some of the footage letting them know that the tape was hers.

  “Are we thinking the same thing?” Teddy said, looking at Ronnie while biting into a turkey sandwich and watching the tape with a distraught look.

  “Yeah,” Ronnie silently gulped. His partner and mentor, Daniel, had taken evidence and destroyed it on Jani’rah’s behalf. There was enough evidence on the tape to put Jani’rah under a jail for life and yet Daniel had tried to destroy it and had helped her get away with murder among other things.

  Ronnie rubbed his temples and let out a sigh. He couldn’t believe what he was seeing, but the evidence did not lie. His friend had managed to throw their case and risk his job all for Jani’rah. Ronnie couldn’t help but wonder what made a man so dedicated to the law step on the other side of it. Daniel used to be a good guy in Ronnie’s eyes, but the fact that he had tampered with evidence was unforgiveable.

  “So, what are you going to do next?”

  Ronnie looked at a tape of Jani’rah shooting a police officer square in his face. The sight of that made him flinch a little; Jani’rah had no mercy. “I’m going to present this to Judge Lobank, and bring this bitch to justice.”

  Time To Go…

  Jani’rah sat in Beardsley Park admiring the geese in the pond. Her jet-black micro braids wrapped into a large bun on top of her head, a tan and brown Louie scarf and big cheetah shades hid her from the description that was given to anyone trying to fulfill Samuel’s bounty. She hated covering her big brown curls and dying her hair black, but she was also tired of hiding out and she just wanted to enjoy the air. She envied the smiling faces of people cooking out in the park. The sound of giggling children and the smell of grilled food lingered in the air. Every year she held a children’s day event that was held in that very park. She had to cancel it this year because she didn’t want to put anyone at risk being that she had a bounty on her head and anyone could come through trying to get at her. The possibility of someone’s child being shot in the middle of her altercation was something she would not, and could not bear; so the event was called off and having to do so made Jani’rah angry.

  Jani’rah’s love for children was also the reason she had Rosa’s little girl dropped off in front of the Department of Children and Families Facility Downtown. The little girl was shaken up by what she saw and Jani’rah already felt bad about that. Initially Jani’rah thought she would be able to use her as a pawn in her game with Samuel, but her heart wasn’t cold enough to do that. Children should never be victims in the games adults play and Jani’rah made sure that the little girl she snatched wasn’t a victim in her war with Samuel.

  “I won’t let him take me down.” Jani’rah said to Hanz, who was also in disguise. His short dreads were dyed a grayish color and his eyebrows were also a faint gray shade. He wore a low cut beard that he was able to grow out while they were in hiding for months.

  “Millions of dollars, hundreds of people on my team, and I can’t have one simple man touched?” Jani’rah questioned aloud.

  “We will get him Madame J. Through the years I’ve watched how you operate. You’ve been in tight situations before and that’s expected in your type of business. The more money you inherit, the more problems you’ll have Madame.”

  “Hmm, you’re right Hanz. Thank you for sticking it out with me.”

  “Till the end Madame; but you speak as if everything is ending now. Don’t give up Jani’rah.”

  The cool breeze danced around Jani’rah’s face as a butterfly flew around her. She loved her
city; she was born and raised in Bridgeport. Her parents were also buried there. The decision she made hurt her feelings, but it was time to leave.

  Jani’rah and Hanz sat in the park for another hour in complete silence. They rode away in an all-black Monte Carlo—Hanz’s recommendation to avoid being too flashy while they were in disguise.

  Jani’rah’s phone buzzed, “Hello,” she answered, it was a blocked number but she knew it was Claudia.

  “He’s gone!” Claudia squealed on the other end.

  “Talk to you later Claud.” Jani’rah said ending the call, not wanting to say too much. Hanz looked over at Jani’rah who sat in the passenger seat instead of in the back; he smiled when he noticed her peaceful expression.

  “We’re staying after all?” Hanz asked.

  Jani’rah licked her lips and slowly nodded her head yes. As they turned on to Brooklawn, they noticed that police cruisers blocked off the street and it was flooded with additional unmarked police cars. A tear slid down Jani’rah’s cheek as she witnessed her little cousin, Claudia, in handcuffs and being escorted into the back of a police cruiser.

  Hanz quickly turned off the block and sped in the opposite direction of the mayhem. The car was silent as he turned onto I-95 South. No words were said as the two rode towards the south.

  New Environment, Same ol’ Problems

  Hanz stretched his tired limbs and squinted his eyes against the sun’s rays. The three-day drive had his body tired and achy. He stretched his arms in the air and his bones popped.

  “You’re getting old on me Hanz.” Jani’rah joked with her friend. She stepped out of the modest house that they spent the night at. It belonged to a single mother of three children. Jani’rah and Hanz were asleep in the car in a small ally the night before, the sound of someone digging in the nearby dumpster got both their attention. They noticed a small Hispanic woman and a child, no older than eight years old, ruffling through the garbage. The scene tugged at Jani’rah’s heart. She stepped out of the car and spoke in Spanish to the woman, offering her some money for a place to stay. Jani’rah and Hanz didn’t want to check into a hotel; her face was on every news channel and her name was all over the radio. She was wanted on several counts of murder, along with sex trafficking, soliciting sex, and tons of other crimes. Her charges just kept piling up as the days went by.