Justice Black: The Game Never Ends

by Gartia Bansah

  Justice leaned back in his chair and then rose from his desk and looked out the window. The city was getting hazy again.

  “Go on, Ron.”

  “Mrs. Sancia was just as stubborn. Once she tried to leave with Clermont and AnnaG. One of the other women told Ed; afterward someone constantly watched her. For some reason he never struck her. I believe he was afraid to. You see, Sancia was born on Halloween. Ed believed that made AnnaG special because Halloween was the only holiday he celebrated. Mrs. Sancia learned Ed was superstitious and used his love for Halloween to our advantage. That kept Ed off us for a while.” Ron shook his head remembering the lost youth of the children. “All the boys were trained in weaponry at the age of six. The girls were taught the role of women was for men’s use. There were no TVs or radios. We only knew what the adults told us, even if inside of you it didn’t feel right.”

  That explained Ed’s obsession with Halloween and Kaitlyn. He let Ron talk while he thought how Ed’s sister could be useful.

  “When I was ten, Mother left me in a Laundromat. It was her way of getting me away from Ed, but the police gave me back to her. She tried again and with a social worker’s help got a restraining order against him. Ed found us and beat my mother so badly I thought she would die that night. Ed took her away and came back alone. I asked where she was, and he said she wanted to go to another camp. I never saw my mother again. She loved me; as long as she had a breath in her body, she would never have left me with Ed.” His voice dropped. “I’ve never found peace after that night. We were living in California when the raid happened. I remember being led out with Clermont. Although that set me free, it didn’t give me peace.”

  Ron sipped on his coffee. He wasn’t afraid of the past; he needed to find it a mere resting place, never to haunt again, knowing it would always be there. It would be his history.

  “I hated Ed so much I refused to call him Dad. I called him Uncle Naid like Clermont did.”

  Justice sighed deeply. Perhaps it wasn’t Clermont he’d led out that night but Ron. It was Clermont’s eyes he remembered but Ron’s hand that he’d held.

  “How did you come about the name of Castleman?”

  “I was adopted by a good family. It wasn’t easy, however; my real name is Eddie Drayton. The first family the social worker placed me with saw me as a ticket to notoriety and had people in and out of the house to see the child raised by terrorists. The social worker found out and moved me to another home with a nice older couple, the Castlemans. When I was fourteen, they changed my name and adopted me. It was at the court hearing that I found out that my mother was dead. I felt cheated and was angry for a long time.”

  Justice turned to Ron. He recognized some of the same courage Kaitlyn had mustered up several times. They’d lived in a war zone on their own soil, and it was all about survival.

  “You see, Dr. Black, Mom was listed as a Jane Doe prostitute found in an abandoned field where prostitutes and addicts were known to hang out. I wasn’t there to help her. I know that bastard murdered her.”

  Justice knew about those cases. Ed could have set it up to look that way.

  “You have to find him, Dr. Black. You have to stop Ed from hurting anyone else. You have to get all of them. Ed never forgave AnnaG for stabbing him. I know what Gwen plans to do, and I turned in my resignation before I came here. She doesn’t know any of what I’ve told you. I accepted a new job with Montgomery Wren, the owner of a small news station in Castleview.”

  Montgomery was a controversial liberal guy who enjoyed fighting with a good story. Plus he was Gwen’s competition. Justice thought how to use that knowledge.

  “Why not turn Gwen’s story around?”

  “What do you mean? I’ll do anything that I can.”

  “How about you meet with Dr. Joseph, and the two of you tell your side of the story? Let the people know what it is like as children to live in that kind of world. Show them that there are those who make it out and do well.”

  “Yes, the kids are often forgotten,” Ron said.

  Justice nodded in agreement. Ron had strength in other ways. He looked at Ron’s large knuckles. He’d had his share of fights, probably because of his looks. He may have looked like a Greek Adonis but was definitely not a pushover.

  “Ron, have you—”

  “You are smooth, Dr. Black. You noticed my hands. Yes, I fought professionally for a bit. Growing up, this look of mine hadn’t helped. I got tired of getting my ass kicked, and so did my parents. They enrolled me in boxing lessons and found I was good at it. Far too many punches later, I decided it was less painful on the other side of the ring and wrote about it rather than be the story.”

  Justice smiled. “Yes, getting your ass kicked would definitely turn you. I take it you haven’t met Dr. Joseph yet?”

  “Not directly. Years ago I accidentally discovered her when she spoke at a seminar at the University of Arkansas during the same time I was there to cover the university’s athletic games. I never approached her; I didn’t know whether she was a follower of Ed or not. I knew firsthand how people changed. Afterward I kept up with her research and studies on childhood trauma and ritual abuse and was impressed. It helped me deal with my life with Ed Drayton. No kid should go through that.”

  Justice gave him a moment; Ron’s story pushed his son’s life in front of him, but he pushed it away. Now was not the time.

  “You’re right,” Justice agreed. “Please continue.”

  “I caught AnnaG’s show at Ricky’s. That’s where I first saw you. Those women blew me away; AnnaG’s hot and still gutsy. She used to dance for us kids until Ed stopped her. She’s done extremely well.”

  Justice gave Ron a very tight smile.

  “Ron, give Jeri your contact information, and leave everything to me.”

  “Thank you, sir. I will. On the lighter side, your secretary, Jeri—single or married? And if single, what time does she get off work?”

  “Why?”

  Ron grinned. “She intrigues me.”

  “Well, you’d better take that up with her.”

  On his way out, Ron stopped at Jeri’s desk; she quickly resumed a guarded position.

  “Can I help you?”

  He couldn’t believe there was any other possible way she could have more fire. This had to be the most spirited black woman he’d met. He was definitely interested.

  He calmly said, “You sure can. I want you.” Jeri was taken aback, and that pleased him. “That coffee was so good I’d like to take you out to show my appreciation.”

  “I don’t go out with clients, and for that matter, that’s presumptuous on your part, Mr. Castleman. I’m married.”

  “I’m not a client, and no, you’re not. Now what?” He grinned.

  “I mean I don’t date…” She wanted to say anyone in his category but was at a loss for words. She didn’t want to be improper. After all, she did have manners.

  “Maybe it’s about time you did, starting tonight.” He winked. “I’ll come back for you around four thirty in case you sneak out early. Somehow I get the impression you’re not that type.” Before she could say anything, he gave her his card. “Your boss said I should give you my card.” He smiled and closed the door.

  Jeri stormed into Justice’s office, both hands planted on her hips, with a murderous scowl on her face.

  “I suppose you heard everything?”

  “I don’t know what you’re talking about.” He removed the tape from the recorder and handed it to her with a face as straight as possible.

  “He asked me out.” She took the tape but watched his expression and waited for his response. Nothing in this office escaped her boss.

  “Then go buy something special.”

  “You think this is all right?”

  “You’re smart. You can handle him. Just be careful.”

  �
�That’s fine for you to say. He wasn’t flirting with you.”

  He laughed. “And he’d better not.”

  She couldn’t believe Justice had laughed. Before Dr. Joseph he never did.

  “But…” Again at a loss for words, she returned to her desk. She needed to arrange for coverage to go shopping.

  Justice laughed again. “Jeri speechless. Imagine that.”

  chapter

  FIFTY-NINE

  “Sure, honey. I understand.”

  A housekeeper had placed a cell phone in Eunice’s bathroom, underneath the trash-can liner. The first chance she got, Eunice texted Ed. She wanted to be careful no one heard her talking.

  “I promise I’ll make it good, Ed. Don’t leave me,” she texted. “I was out of my head.” Eunice struggled to convince him. “They said I could probably go home in a few days,” she lied. It didn’t matter. She’d escape if she had to. “I need to be with you.”

  He texted back. “How’re you going to manage that?” There was a guard posted on her. His contact at the hospital already told him that.

  Then she wrote, “I do get bathroom privileges. What do you want me to do?”

  “Let me think about it. I need to think. Can you get money? We need money.”

  “Sure, I can.”

  Eunice was not part of the equation. If she could get money, then he needed to get her out of the hospital.

  “How much did you tell them, Eunice?”

  She was quiet and thought for a moment. He was testing her. But he was also in danger. “I told them what we always rehearsed, just as you said,” she lied. Ed was not leaving her. If he couldn’t get money, that meant he needed her.

  “I’ll think of something. In the meantime, you’re too sick. Don’t say another word.”

  “I won’t. I love you, Ed.”

  “Sure, Eunice,” he wrote. Then he said aloud to himself, All I need from the bitch is money.

  He had to make a call. Screw the chairman. The phone rang several times. “Where is my sister? Come on, come on. Answer the damn phone.

  “MaeMae, it’s me.” He loved calling her by her nickname. She was the only one who understood him.

  She hadn’t seen him in years. When she saw his picture on TV, she nearly vomited. She knew he’d call.

  “Andy, you shouldn’t call here. You know it’s too risky. Your picture is all over the news. Why didn’t you let me know you were here and involved with Eunice? Just last night she’d unwittingly overheard Tevis on the phone with the chairman discussing the two living together. Tevis thought she was still in the shower and didn’t bite his tongue degrading them. “Andy, why did you do that?” She could have stopped him. She waited before she said anything else. Sometimes her husband had the help spy on her. She checked the halls. It looked safe.

  His sister was the only one that called him Andy; it was their code name.

  “Listen, MaeMae, I didn’t do that fire. The chairman set me up. I have done awful things in my life, but never that. You believe me, don’t you?”

  “Yes, I do. Listen, it’s not safe to call here. I’ll get you a cell phone. Go to the lost and found at Frank’s Market. The phone will be there. I’ll contact you. Andy, be careful. You know they are going to kill you.” No matter what, Ed was her brother.

  “Thanks, Sis. Don’t let me down.”

  “I won’t. I can get sixty thousand for you.”

  “Thanks again. I told my sons to bring fifty thousand. I love you, MaeMae.”

  “I know. I love you too.”

  They’re hanging him out to dry. He’ll be blamed for everything. Mavis was beside herself when she hung up; her heart was broken. He’d changed so much. He was no longer soft looking. He didn’t have that small twinkle in his eyes that only she seemed to see. Everything was working out until the hatred of Justice Black possessed him. She knew hatred was purposedly pumped into his head until he couldn’t let go. She vowed “I’ll get even if it’s the last thing I do.”

  chapter

  SIXTY

  The nurse was on the night shift at St. Sullivan when Caldwell found her. It hadn’t taken much to turn on Ed, but she swore she had no idea where he was. Her husband, not a big fan of Ed, told Caldwell Ed had been camping at their family campsite. When Caldwell reached the site, Ed had moved on. Things were narrowing for Ed if he had now reverted to camping in the woods.

  Two days later, Justice made arrangements for Kaitlyn to meet with Ron. Earlier he and Ron had gone to Montgomery with the story. Montgomery didn’t hesitate to run it as a weekly special report.

  “Will AnnaG remember me after all of these years?” He wasn’t that scrawny kid afraid of everything anymore. He’d help Dr. Joseph fight this; he’d gotten good at fighting. “I’ve got to stop talking to myself. This is nuts,” he mumbled.

  Kaitlyn cordially invited Ron into her office.

  “Come in, Mr. Castleman. Please have a seat.”

  Ron stood for a moment. It wasn’t as easy as he’d hoped. Seeing Kaitlyn this close brought back the memories.

  “You don’t remember me, do you?”

  Kaitlyn looked puzzled. “Should I?”

  “AnnaG, it’s me, Swimmer.”

  She stared closely into his eyes and recognized the starry-eyed little boy with the innocent smile and the scar on his forehead. There was something familiar about Ron’s strong looks. She caught the edge of her desk when an instant replay of her past flickered before her.

  “Oh, Swimmer—I mean Ron.” They hugged. “How are you?” Kaitlyn gently touched his hair and then his scar. He’d cut his head on a tree branch when Ed threw him into the river.

  “I’m fine, but call me Swimmer. It helps. How are you, really?” he asked softly.

  “Well, I’m present and accounted for. I’ve had uglier days. The story is losing its interest; a reality show debuted. I’ll survive.”

  They both laughed.

  “You made it, AnnaG,” he said with sincerity. There were times he hadn’t thought she would.

  With Ron there, too many ghosts from her past crept into the room. Kaitlyn remembered the tears, lost childhood, and many lonely days and nights.

  Finally she asked, “Julie?”

  “She’s dead.” The sense of loss had gotten easier to accept, but it was still there. He pushed it aside. “That’s why I’m here—partially, that is. I want us to tell our story. I believe that we can help others in situations like ours, that we can make a difference.”

  She remembered Julie, a young girl caught in Ed’s insane world. She had given birth to Swimmer when she was a teen. She remembered BenBen, a teen himself; he made toys for the kids and had such a crush on Julie.

  “Ed hated me. I never understood why. He was supposed to be my father.”

  “Swimmer,” she offered, “Ed is no different from any animal in the wild when he is afraid his kingdom will be penetrated by an outsider. Every new male brought into Ed’s world was a threat to him. His aim was to control all that was his.” Deep down inside Kaitlyn guessed why Ed did the things against Ron. Like a hippo, Ed sought to destroy what he thought wasn’t his.

  Ed had truly wrecked too many lives. Kaitlyn needed no further convincing. She would do it.

  “You’re right, Swimmer. Let’s do this.”

  “Dr. Black said I should tell you to remember the ‘turnaround.’ I contacted him first. He said if it was a problem, you should call him. The man’s hard; I’d want him in my corner anytime.”

  “Tobiah,” she whispered. “Even God armed David.” The only information Justice gave her was, as a priority, she needed to work with Ron Castleman. The name hadn’t meant anything to her. Ron was to be her Goliath stone.

  “Ron, I need to bring someone in on this. This will affect the office.”

  Not surprised, Justice had already told Wil about
Ron. She was overly jubilant about everything.

  They began working at ten that morning, and close to six, Justice called and badgered her to go home. Ron figured they’d work later than he thought and excused himself to let Jeri know he’d be there before seven thirty. It worked out well since Jeri said she had to work late herself. Finally, at seven, he and Kaitlyn called it quits for the night. First Justice would need to take a look at what they had, but Ron believed he had enough to do a part-one segment. He offered to drive Kaitlyn home, but she refused.

  She craved pecan-praline ice cream for celebration. This was the biggest gamble of her career, but after this, no one would hold her childhood over her like an anvil. The silver Honda parked across from the office made her panic. Ron saw her hesitate.

  “What is it?”

  Normally she wouldn’t have cared, but she’d seen the car earlier from her office window. The man had been sitting there for hours. When her cell phone rang, it startled her.

  “Dr. Joseph, I have someone waiting to follow you home. He should be there in a silver Honda. Don’t panic.”

  “Thanks for telling me, Dr. Black. You nearly scared the wits out of me.” Honestly, the man was in the right business. She smiled at Ron. “It’s all right, Swimmer. You can go. The car is for me.”

  “You sure you’ll be all right?”

  “I’m positive.”

  Satisfied, Ron drove away but not before he glared at the man in the Honda and took the license number of the car for Dr. Black. He’d give it to Jeri when he picked her up again tonight for dinner.

  “Dr. Black, is this necessary?”

  “I’m not arguing with you. Don’t think I’ll even entertain the thought. You go straight home. By the way, nice red car.”

  She hated to admit it, but he was right about her mechanic, so she had bought a new car from a reputable dealer. “Thank you, and excuse me, please; I have to get ice cream, if I could have your permission.”

  “Fine, get your ice cream. No other stops.” He laughed and hung up before she could say another word.