Justice Black: The Game Never Ends

by Gartia Bansah

  “This is a picture of the house where we lived with Ed.”

  With trembling hands she handed it to Justice, gauging his reaction.

  “I didn’t keep this from you.”

  “I know.” He assured her with a smile.

  Wil moved closer to Kaitlyn. “Gianna?” Kaitlyn had climbed out of that house of hell, and Wil was determined she’d not let her mind go back there.

  “I’m fine, Wil.” And she was. She looked at the people in the room, all caring about her. She was blessed.

  “I’ve seen this house as a painting.”

  Everyone except Kaitlyn gave Trenton their undivided attention; she only stared at Justice like a hawk watching a field mouse.

  “Where?” This time it was Lane whose matter-of-fact attitude was demanding.

  “I’m trying to remember. I’m sure it was recent.”

  “Dr. Joseph, I need the envelope,” Justice said.

  “Sure.” Kaitlyn leaned back and relaxed.

  Everyone else silently waited for Trenton.

  Justice thought of the man Kaitlyn saw outside of the store. He also heard the engine of the car outside. When he pulled into Wil’s driveway, the car pulled into the driveway of the vacant house across the street. The car had no lights on. No one got out of the car.

  Trenton paced back and forth in front of the window, trying to recall where he had seen the painting. Although dark outside, he could hear the sound of a car engine in the driveway across the street. The lights were off. The car had been sitting there since Justice arrived. That house was also vacant. No one ever parked there. From the streetlight he could see the fire from a lighted cigarette.

  “Dr. Black.” Kaitlyn broke calmly into the quietness. “Yes. I want babies, only by you.”

  Trenton stopped his pacing long enough to stare at the two people. No one said a word or moved. Then Justice said, “Damn it, Duchess.”

  Lane stood motionless. Delightfully tickled and completely amused, Wil darted her eyes between her friend and business partner to Justice.

  “Duchess, is it?” She teased. “Woman, you sure know how to stop a show,” Wil giggled.

  There was a new silence in the room. This time everyone waited for Justice.

  Lane looked from Kaitlyn to Justice. To him Dr. Joseph was relaxed, but Dr. Black was ready to lock horns with her.

  “Well, couples,” Lane interrupted, “since I am out of the family-planning business, I will see everyone tomorrow.”

  Trenton nodded. There was no way he could take his eyes away from Justice; having been similarly blindsided by Wil, he was sympathetic toward Justice. Justice needed his male support, and he’d give it.

  “Dr. Black”—Lane stifled a grin—“you’re on your own with Dr. Joseph. I’m going home to my wife.”

  Justice ignored Lane. “Trenton, how about the house? Do you remember where you saw it?” he asked.

  “Sorry, Justice, I lost my train of thought. But I’m sure it will come to me.”

  Wil later swore Lane hooted like an owl once he was outside.

  Justice took Kaitlyn by the arm. Without looking at anyone, he said good night and led her out the door.

  “Wait. I want to hug Wil,” she insisted.

  “Do it tomorrow,” he said. “Trenton, when you remember the place call Caldwell.”

  “Bye, Wil.” Kaitlyn giggled over her shoulder, stepping fast in an effort to keep up with Justice’s long strides. “I’ll see you tomorrow.” Obviously satisfied with his reaction, she showed no remorse for anything said.

  Wil and Trenton followed outside, and after Justice got in the car, Wil let out a loud laugh. Trenton folded his arms with a frown; he found no humor in Justice’s agony.

  “Women. What was that about?”

  “That, my honey, is called mating.” Wil wrapped her arms around his neck and planted kisses on his face and neck.

  He sounded serious when he said, “Mating is fine at the right time. But like that?”

  Wil stopped and looked at him. She heard something different.

  “I agree, at the right time. Trenton, what are you saying?”

  “Wil, I want you, and I want a family.”

  “Trenton, I’ve told you about my parents. You know how my dad is. Are you sure you want that?”

  “But now you understand why your dad is the way he is, don’t you? And yes, I want to meet them. Heck, I’m from Louisiana and have seen everything.”

  It was unimaginable how relieved and happy that made Wil. She loved her parents and wanted to be with Trenton.

  “Good.” She grinned.

  Not completely without wits, Kaitlyn held her giggles; Justice slammed her door without saying a word. His phone rang, and she could see him frowning and thought she heard him say, “Lock everything down,” after he said Mrs. Forest’s name. Then he jerked his door open, swore, and slammed it when he sat down.

  “He must be really mad to slam his precious doors,” she mumbled under her breath.

  Justice turned on her without any preamble.

  “Kaitlyn, why did you do that? Are you nuts?”

  “Sure, I’m nuts. Remember, we’ve gone through this before. Apparently you’ve forgotten.”

  “No. You said you’d give me an answer later. This is not how I expected to get it.” He thought of how she last “fixed” him and was lucky she didn’t have it written in the sky.

  “You should have. “If I told you, you’d say I needed someone younger. Justice, I don’t need or want anyone else.” She refused to budge. “Besides, you had yourself fixed so you can’t have babies.” Her voice quivered she was so hurt.

  Justice wasn’t prepared for this or her tears.

  “Fixed? Who told you that? Aurora? I haven’t done anything like that.”

  “What? No.” She was flabbergasted. “Justice Tobiah Black, you told me you couldn’t have any more children. I would never believe you to be a liar.”

  “I didn’t mean it that way. Sweetheart, I meant I couldn’t afford to have any more children because of this job,” he tried to explain, but he was getting nowhere and simply shut his mouth.

  “Yes, be quiet.” She poked his arm. “Don’t ‘sweetheart’ me. That was not how you explained it. You speak seven languages, including a dead one, Justice. You are the smartest man I know. You could have explained it in a much better way, and you know that.”

  He took her hands before he searched her face. “You’re right; I could have done a much better job in saying what I meant. How do you feel about it?”

  “I’m not feeling anything, and I don’t want to discuss it with you especially now.”

  “All right, Duchess. We’ll talk later. But you didn’t have to do what you did back there. But since you did it that way, that makes it official; we are a couple. Add nuts to that too. All right?”

  He watched the car across from Wil’s before he started the engine and pulled off. The car also pulled off, but there were no lights on as it followed him.

  “All right.” She smiled. “But you’re upset with me, right?” Kaitlyn innocently asked, suddenly finding interest in her manicure. “That’s too bad.”

  “Kaitlyn, you are pushing it.” He still couldn’t tell who was following and didn’t want her frightened.

  She relaxed in her seat, closed her eyes, gently played with his ear, and inwardly relished everything.

  “Darling, you need to relax, and you know what? Red is your color. It looks good on you, and you sure are handsome.” She repeated it all with pleasure.

  “So, Wil, how’s that pain on your butt you mentioned earlier? Do I need to—?” Trenton teased, before the location of the painting flashed before him.

  “What?” Wil’s heart raced seeing the look on his face.

  Trenton hurriedly pulled out his cell p
hone and dialed Caldwell’s number. “Wil, let’s go. I remembered where I saw the painting.” Without waiting for Wil, he rushed toward the door.

  “Go where?” She grabbed her purse and was out the door ahead of him. “I’m driving. You drive too fast. I want to get there in one piece.”

  “You need to get those books.” Trenton gave her an impatient stare. Under no circumstance was he allowing her to drive. The last time he rode with her he thought he’d have a heart attack because of her lead foot. He was desperate to get to Caldwell; he wanted to get there in one piece.

  “I don’t drive fast; you do. So get in. I’m driving.”

  As he drove toward the freeway, Trenton told her about the parked car and the painting.

  chapter

  SIXTY-FIVE

  His eye hurt from the strain. His head ached. He’d been having headaches for days now. He hadn’t eaten or slept well. The rain pelted hard, and the wipers barely worked. Ed could barely see the road, and his car swerved. “Cat,” he whispered. “Eunice shouldn’t have said you had someone else. You can’t have been spoiled by someone else.”

  The force of the rain made it appear white, and traffic slowed to a crawl. He couldn’t lose sight of the car, and he couldn’t stop. He was in as much danger as Justice would be when he caught him.

  “I know she loves Halloween. When my darling Cat opened the door to the little trick-or-treaters tomorrow, the plan was to take her then. Everything had been set for tomorrow—Halloween.”

  His Jaguar had been stowed. It took him a while, but now he had a car and could move.

  “Because of Eunice I have to move my plan a day early.” Ed looked in his rearview mirror. Someone followed too close. “That lousy brother-in-law turned on me. After he pays me, I’ll see him rot in hell.”

  There would be no more screw-ups. He was prepared and ready. All of the safety nets that were open to their members were now closed to Ed. He made sure not to be seen in the same place twice. No cabs, always by foot, with a watchful eye over his shoulder. At one point he traveled by bicycle. Careful not to be a creature of habit, he moved around in the homeless circle.

  “Habits trapped Gus and Jarrod. I warned those two long ago about habits, and so did Tansy. They didn’t listen. So where is Tansy?”

  He was too distracted and missed his exit. “It’s OK. I have the address,” he muttered. “First Justice Black. I’ll not miss again.” He dialed his friend’s number and repeated Kaitlyn’s address.

  Justice kept Kaitlyn distracted and acted as if his irritation was with her. His biggest worry was that whoever followed would get jumpy and run them off the road. He’d called Caldwell to secure the complex and to personally warn Mrs. Forest. Justice knew Ed could no longer wait for Halloween, his special day. Too many odds were stacked against him, he had no choice but to crawl into the light.

  The car that followed him now was different. The lightning flashed and showed the driver. It was Sterling. Sterling nearly missed his turnoff and corrected the car in time to see Justice turn down the quiet, dark street to the complex.

  “Justice, are you even listening to me?”

  Before he could answer, his phone rang. “Boss, Trenton remembered the painting is in Steve and Dave’s office. You’re being followed, so be careful.” Justice doubted Kaitlyn knew those two men. She’d told him about others who lived with Ed but never mentioned those people. But he knew them. The names were also on the list of buyers for the Moroccan wine. “Boss,” Caldwell added, “Eunice’s heart finally stopped.”

  “Damn it to hell!” Justice hit the steering wheel with his fist after he hung up.

  Kaitlyn jumped, shifted in her seat, and braced for his explosion. She was surprised. He’d never been this upset with her for more than a few minutes.

  Justice wanted to offer reassurance that he wasn’t angry with her, but he decided not to. That little stunt wasn’t funny, but he’d never hurt her.

  The rain became harsher and the lightning stronger with each strike it made. The thunder was near deafening, but he maintained his speed and exited the freeway, heading toward the complex.

  “Justice, this was your fault. You left me no choice, and I’m not sorry.”

  Justice needed to get Kaitlyn safe. The complex was quiet except for the dogs that barked down the street. He waited a few moments to see whether the two cars followed. They hadn’t. He barely heard Kaitlyn call his name until she touched his arm.

  “Justice, are you going to sit there and ignore me?” She was worried. “I asked you a question, and you haven’t said a word for a while.”

  “I’m sorry, Duchess,” he apologized as he got out of the car and led her to the apartment. “I didn’t hear you.”

  Kaitlyn heard Cassie and Calvin whining and rushed inside to the guest room. “They’re probably hungry and need to go out.”

  Justice opened the sliding glass door to the patio and gazed into the heavy rain. Someone purposely dodged the lights. He locked the door and made sure the security bar was in place.

  “Kaitlyn,” he called as he left out the front door, “stay here, and keep this door locked.”

  “Justice, are you still upset?” Kaitlyn asked as she came into the room a few minutes later. She was stunned that Justice had left without saying good night.

  chapter

  SIXTY-SIX

  Dillon and Caldwell quietly signaled that the complex was secure. Justice made his way to the cherub fountain to see in all directions. The had rain stopped. It was a full moon, and it brightened everything and cast shadows.

  “Damn it.” His heart leaped into this throat. Someone hovered around the apartment at the same time Mrs. Forest stepped outside with her dog. He swore. “Hardheaded woman.” Mrs. Forest saw the cars and ran back inside and locked the door. “Good girl,” Justice whispered.

  Before Justice could move or say anything, the person came out of the shadows at the same time Kaitlyn stepped outside. The man was fast and pulled Kaitlyn against him as a shield. She screamed.

  “Drayton!” Justice yelled.

  Dillon stood in the far end of the complex, but Justice signaled him to hold back. The risk of life was too great.

  That name slammed Kaitlyn’s heart to her throat. With the rain pouring down on her, it was as if she was fourteen again and hemmed in the shower with Ed. She struggled harder to escape from his thick arm that squeezed her neck.

  “I’ll kill you,” he whispered in her ear. “We wouldn’t have known you were actually here until the chairman gave us your picture.”

  “Ed, let Dr. Joseph go.”

  “Not unless you want to see her dead.” He grinned.

  Justice stopped a few feet in front of Kaitlyn.

  “I’m all right,” she managed to say.

  “I waited a long time for this day,” he taunted. “At twenty-four years old, everything that was to be had was in our hands. By twenty-nine my kingdom was made.”

  “Take it easy. You don’t want to hurt Dr. Joseph. This is between you and me.”

  Justice studied Ed’s movement and watched his eye. Something was off. Then he saw it. Son of a bitch. No one is who they say they are. If his burning guts were right again, this wasn’t Ed. Still, he couldn’t afford to cause a panic.

  “When they told me it was you who ruined everything, I swore I’d get even. I’ve got the lucky charm now.”

  “Yes, you could get even, but Ed, Dr. Joseph is not your lucky charm. What about Vicky? Who’ll take care of her? You know she is next. You think that husband cares what happens to her?”

  He knew the man loved the sister. “They’ll come after Vicky. You know that.”

  He thought for a moment. They’d kill her; he needed to get to Vicky.

  “There are a lot more than me, you asshole. You think I do this alone?” he taunted again. “You see, Black, you can’t
save everyone.”

  “You’re right. I can’t. But I want to save Dr. Joseph.” There was no way he’d let them get to the car. “I know you didn’t set the fire. Everyone used Vicky and now you. Vicky’s marriage was to save her family. Your folks were in debt to Legion. Vicky paid a heavy price for everyone. She didn’t forget,” Justice continued. “Vicky always helped; Rodney’s father took care of her. They are the loyal ones. You have to save Vicky.”

  “They shouldn’t have done that to Vicky. They worried about some damn ghost and needed you out of the way. Lousy fools made everyone afraid of something no one had ever seen. It was his idea to burn the restaurant, to destroy you.” He wavered. “So what you will do, Dr. Black, is to get out of my way. If Cat is still in good use, she’ll be left in better shape than Julie.”

  Kaitlyn stiffened.

  “Andy, stop.” She’d remembered Vicky called him that and it calmed him. “I’m not your good-luck piece. You have to think. You’re good at that. They weren’t. They came to you. Everyone respected you.”

  He wavered. “Vicky?”

  “Dr. Joseph, don’t,” Justice cautioned. “Just stay out of it.”

  Again there was a frown of confusion, hearing the name Dr. Joseph. “Don’t call her that. She’s Cat.” Suddenly he couldn’t connect Kaitlyn to the twelve-year-old girl he remembered. “I can take her after I finish you.” He was on edge and quickly glanced around. Where is Sterling? He was to be here by now. Lomax promised.

  “I know the chairman told you I ruined you,” Justice continued with the ruse. “She also arranged everything, even with Vicky.” There it was. The man flinched hearing the chairman called a “she.” “Yes, I know,” Justice said. “I know who the chairman is. You’re going to take the blame for everything and everyone? That’s how they pay you?”

  His apartment door was partially open. Deep inside he could see Cassie and Calvin pace back and forward. They were looking for Kaitlyn. For once Justice hoped they did what they usually did whenever a man approached Kaitlyn. The two would lose their little minds and attack. The man moved slightly, enough that they saw Kaitlyn and quickly ran toward her, barking and gnarling. The rain began to drizzle. Justice saw the man struggled to see, then Cassie and Calvin angrily bit both legs. Although he kicked at the dogs he didn’t loosen his grip on Kaitlyn. Calvin pulled on his pant leg, and like a propelled force, Cassie leaped and furiously bit into his chest. Kaitlyn slipped, Calvin latched onto the man’s arm, and the gun fell.