Prophet: Book One (Princes of Prophecy 1)

by L. Ann Marie

  He nods. “Good thinking.” He turns. “Brantley find out why the Mayor is coming here.”

  “Roger Prez.” His hands fly across the keyboard. I like watching him work, he is methodical, but thinks different than me. He puts a headset on and runs through video feed speeding them up and slowing them down. After ten minutes he takes the headset off. “Prez, he’s not happy with the amount of people in town. He tried to find someone to complain, but the businessmen he talked to were happy with the sales they’ve had just this morning. He’s got the PD coming here with him. They aren’t happy with surveillance.”

  “Thank you Brantley. While I’m in that meeting watch the feeds.” Brantley smiles like it is a present. These feeds bore the hell out of me. “Do we have a count on how many people we have total?”

  “Yes. Four hundred and seven,” I tell him walking to the meeting room.

  He shuts the boards off and sits. “Did you tell the Mayor how many people to expect?”

  “Yes I told him with support staff we were over four hundred. He did not think that was significant. He is not very bright so I do not think he realized that means at least a thousand people. With businesses opening we have flyers, coupons, deliveries, and grand openings all adding to the head count. I also gave the numbers to the Town Council and businessmen. The school knew right away, that is why they agreed to register all on one day.”

  “Let’s see what our country bumpkin has to say. We may need to get someone with a brain in his office. Is there anyone we like available right away?”

  I think about the men I have met. “No. Used car salesman is the only interest. The Town Council is just performing for the citizens.”

  He pulls his phone. “Joey, I need a member that could be a Mayor. Someone quick. No has to be older, it would never fly here. Have your people look. Did Strapper get into the PD? Good. Call me back I have a meeting with the pussy in twenty.” He looks up at me. “Do you have a Mayor or Chief?”

  I laugh. “Gene is as close to a Chief that I have. Shilah would make a good Mayor, but he is too young. No one will vote for a twenty-five year old Mayor.”

  Something clicks for him and he hits his keypad. “Get me Driscoll. I need him right away then have Darren and Jessie come to the meeting room in twenty.” He swipes it off looking across the table. “Can you pull the training video up?” He does not look at me; he is thinking fast throwing out names.

  I sit at the console and get the promo video up. I do not know why it is promotional, no one sees it, but Brothers. I turn the board on and let it play through. Driscoll comes in and I get pictures of him in uniform. He is the Chief. I do not know him as anything, but Security because he has guarded me when I have been to their yard. He throws me chin in acknowledgement. He is nervous.

  “Prez, Eagle Eye.”

  “Have a seat Driscoll.” I sit beside Prez across from him. He is worried he will lose his job. I do not understand why, he has done well in training and worked for the MC since he was young.

  “I find myself with a problem in the Mayor’s seat. The pussy is a moron. I’m looking for someone to replace him. The other is the PD Chief. He isn’t embracing the Princes as he said he would. Behind closed doors the Mayor is trying to find anything he can to get rid of some or all of us. He’ll be here with the Chief any minute. You are more than qualified to do his job and Deidra will love dressing up for the events the police do. Do you want the job as Chief?”

  Driscoll is shocked then sees his wife dancing with Bull. I smile letting Prez know in his head, but he has got it. I see Driscoll shaking Prez’s hand, I am standing to his side with Jess and Jessie. Jess is pregnant. So pretty. I close my eyes and send it to Prez.

  “Yes. I want the Chief job.”

  Prez looks at him. “You came in here worried about your job. This surprises me. After we talked at the MC I had hoped that you got that I’m all in for you. You have done nothing that would change that. I still think you should have talked to Pres, but that’s your decision. You have always shown loyalty to us and I give that back to you.”

  I see him flashing through a funeral and a boy’s face crying, he is holding the boy. His brother died on a bike and he takes care of the boy.

  His shoulders relax. “Thank you Prez. I’m not one that Pres should be worried about, he already deals with so much from the Brothers.”

  “His support for you didn’t waver, he was sad to see you move, but I’m glad you’re mine. He would be proud of you in the Chief’s job.” Prez smiles at him. “Stay for the meet with the Mayor and Chief.”

  Driscoll thinks he let the MC down, but he is happy to be here. Prez nods at me. “They are here. Another is with them. The Town Manager.” I tell him. Driscoll watches me and I look at Prez. Shit.

  He laughs. “Driscoll is not someone I would guard against. His loyalty has never been questioned. I trust him with my life therefore yours.” I nod and look at him, he is smiling and relaxed. He is happy with Prez’s words. His phone rings and he thanks Joey then swipes it off.

  The door opens, Jessie and Darren walk in then the three men. “Welcome, I’ve spoken with you before Chief. I am Ben Knight, Prez of the Princes. This is Darren LaPonte-James, Jessie LaPonte-James, you have all met Dakota Lightfoot, and this is Driscoll DeMello our highest ranking Security Specialist.”

  The three men are shocked. I smile at them jumping through words. The Chief is racist and thinks we are just a bunch of kids, not something he let show when I met him. The Manager is smiling, but surprised by our ages. Mayor dimwit cannot seem to think and flubs through words even in his head.

  “I’m Tom Martin the Town Manager, I’m glad Edgar called me, this ought to be fun.” We laugh while the Mayor and Chief look pissed.

  When the men do not say anything Tom introduces them. They sit then we do. The Chief watches the promo video. The Mayor jumps right in. “Your people are causing problems all over town. You said four hundred. This is too much. We have robberies, traffic jams, and bikers causing problems in businesses. This is not acceptable. You need to move these people out.”

  Prez looks at Jessie, “Get Jason in here.”

  “On it Prez.”

  “Do you feel the same Tom?”

  The guy laughs, I like him. He is not showing anything, except the men beside him are a joke. “Nope. You let us know what was coming before it hit. You handled the school, businesses and police trying to warn them of the changes. They heard only what they wanted and are willing to take your help, but give nothing back to you. I don’t know why we’re here, it makes our Mayor look foolish.” I laugh. He is smiling like this is fun.

  The Mayor is pissed. Jason and Jessie come in. “Jason get me the town feeds tier three on slide. Put them on the second board. The Chief seems to like our training promo.”

  While Jason sits, Prez stands. “Your concern Chief?”

  The Mayor jumps in. “You haven’t addressed my complaint.”

  Prez looks at him with a smile. “Oh I will, but first, what is the PD’s complaint?”

  The Chief looks at the Mayor then Prez. “You have illegal surveillance videos.”

  “Are we taking pictures in bathrooms, bedrooms, or any other private areas?” he asks.

  The Chief looks at him thinking he could hit the smile off of Prez’s face. Prez smiles bigger.

  Jason turns the board on. The Mayor takes in a breath. I get he is taking money and throw it to Prez with the flash of a book.

  “Before you knew who I was, you wanted us to get the gang out, you wanted the drugs out. We cleaned up your town and brought our families and businesses here letting you know every step of the way. You did nothing to prepare for us. It was the Princes that made the effort to transition our people into your town. With no help from you. I think Tom is right, we give and you take with nothing in return. The video feeds show no issues with our Brothers. The robbery was a false report from a thief. The traffic jam you speak of was a woman looking at bikers and hitting a pole. Th
e Brothers assisted at the scene. It seems to me that we’re still giving, but not receiving.” He looks at the Chief. “In order to get the town clean and keep our families safe we have feeds. The feeds are monitored so we can deal with and avoid potential problems.” He looks at me. “The town charter says the Mayor can appoint a Chief in the event of misuse or handling of the town’s people or funds?” He is fuckin’ smart.

  I smile. “Yes.” I throw the wording to him. He nods.

  “Mayor, meet your new Police Chief. This is Driscoll DeMello. You will find him easy to work with, he is a loyal and honorable man.” The Chief stands up and reaches for his gun, we have ours on him before his hand is even off the snap on his holster. With five guns pointed at him he freezes. “Tom can you get the paperwork for the PD removal done by the end of today?” Tom is smiling and nods. “Good, as you can see I have quite a bit on my plate already. On that paperwork you can put taking money from DeMarco for clear passage at the waterfront. Driscoll go to the Chief’s house, in his office he has a drawer with a fake bottom, pull the book under it and get it to Tom to copy as proof then put it in the safe in case we need it again. Darren get the Judge to issue a warrant and search and seizure. Jessie get the ex-Chief to holding until I can touch base with DeMarco and Driscoll meets his officers. Jason get Strapper to the PD. No one goes in or out of the Chiefs office until Driscoll gets there. Take Sheila and Todd off their scheduled jobs and send them to assist Strapper.”

  The Chief takes a step forward and Jessie shoots. Shit. “Stupid fuck. You’re bleeding on the new carpet,” Jessie says and Darren laughs.

  He cuffs the moaning Chief and calls for Security to drag him to holding. Tom looks a little pale. He is nervous now. Prez looks at him. “You have a job to do for me Tom. Why don’t you go do that so this change will happen smoothly?”

  Tom nods and walks out without a word. “Driscoll get to the book. Call into Jessie if you need help with the PD. You have the Brothers backing you. Whatever you need, let me know. We will not repeat our past mistakes, if we need to be PD until your men are straight that is what we’ll be.”

  Driscoll stands smiling as he puts his gun away. “Thanks Prez I think Sheila will be enough.” I laugh thinking he might be right.

  “Thank you Jason. I think we are set here.” Jason leaves quietly.

  Prez looks at me. “What do you have on this pussy?”

  I almost smile. “Cheats on his wife, is taking money with the Chief, had a couple of run-ins that got buried, and likes young girls.”

  The Mayor looks sick. Prez waits until it all sinks in. “So you will sign what I need and announce it to the Council. There will be no problems because we will handle that like we have everything else. If you bring one more fuckin’ bogus complaint to Eagle Eye, he has an order to shoot you. Valid concerns will be handled accordingly. DeMarco’s payouts will stop today, arrange your budget for that loss. Dealing with drug cartels will not get you re-elected. The payouts for building and real estate rulings are of no concern to me at this time. They will be revisited. Do you have any questions?”

  Dimwit shakes his head no. “Eagle Eye is your contact, if you see me again Mr. Mayor it had better be as you’re leaving town pulling your belongings behind you. Are we clear?”

  The pussy nods making me smile. “I need the words Mr. Mayor, the audio in here is good, but doesn’t pick up head shakes.” Jessie laughs. “Are we clear?”

  “Yes sir,” he says in a shaky voice.

  “Get the fuck out of my building.” He hurries to the door and out.

  Jessie and Darren are laughing. “Did you get the information to the Judge?” Darren nods taking a breath.

  He looks at me and I wait. “You threw me more than words.”

  Shit I fucked up again. “Yes.”

  He smiles. I relax. “It’s good Dakota, I am just surprised. Aubrey is the only one that has done that. It made this a fuck of a lot easier. Thank you.”

  Jessie and Darren are watching, but not saying anything. I am amazed at what they do not question. “Brotherhood in all things. They know I work for what is best for everyone and don’t need the details.”

  “I am learning that Prez, it just surprises me how easy that works. If I am finished here I need to get to the plant.”

  He throws me chin. “You’ll need to watch for Driscoll. I don’t want problems for him, we can help avoid that and slide him in with no fanfare.”

  “I will let Ops know to keep me on.”

  He nods. Before I open the door he tells me I did good. I smile all the way to Ops, I did not fuck it up, I am happy I was a help to him. He is a good leader and fixed a problem before it was a problem. The insight the ancestors gifted him serves us well. I thank them for aligning us and allowing our gifts to work together.

  ***

  Jessie

  “He is more than you thought he’d be?” I ask wondering what the thoughtful look is for.

  He smiles at us. “Yeah. He was throwing pictures at me with the information I needed. I’m so fuckin’ glad he is a leader. He knew what I needed and threw only facts at me.”

  Darren sits and I move to the other side so we can see each other. “This is good. I’m glad he met them here and had no problem with you leading.”

  Prez laughs. “No, he did it on purpose so the Mayor wouldn’t think we’d jump every time he called.”

  “Smart.”

  “Yes, that’s what I meant as a good leader. He’s able to see the big picture without anyone pointing it out. He has more than I was told. He hasn’t mentioned visions. I know he gets them. He isn’t blocking me. He’s blocking everyone else though. I don’t know what to think about that. I know I can’t read everything from him, but I feel like I’m missing something.”

  “Ask Jeremy, you’ll see him Thursday,” I tell him.

  “I hate to say it, but Jeremy is more loyal to Dakota. It’s like with Aubrey. Something ties them. Jeremy can’t get everything from him and they don’t affect each other. At all.”

  Fuck, Jeremy is more loyal to Dakota? I’m not sure how to feel about that. “It’s okay Jessie. Dakota is loyal to me on that same level. Something ties us.” He shakes his head. “It’s like we’re being aligned in an order or something.” A chill runs down my back. This is not good. Well maybe alignment is good, but the chill means something’s coming.

  “I feel it too. I need someone with Dakota. If Driscoll wasn’t busy I’d put him there. I need it to be someone that gets the kids’ abilities.”

  I think of who gets all this shit and can be trusted. I wish Geek were here he’d know who to move. “Chevy.”

  He smiles. “HS and he gets it. I like him with Dakota. Set that up Brother. He has two others, but hasn’t given them to me. I think they are waiting and watching. I’ll give him a few more days then ask.”

  I don’t ask knowing it’s one of those decisions you don’t question by his tone. I stand up. “Anything else I need to know?”

  “Chevy is on a job so you’re with Dakota and Jess.” Fuck! You think I could have gotten that first and ridden out with him? No, I have to hear freaky kid shit to make my day complete.

  I run into Ops and tell Gene to switch Chevy to Dakota’s shadow and I’m on him once I get there. He’s surprised, but nods. “Something I need to know?”

  I stop and turn back to him. He’s Dakota’s second. I need to give him something. “Driscoll is the new PD Chief. Dakota was the contact. We’re just getting set for blowback.”

  He laughs. “Driscoll will be a good Chief. He’s a good man.” I nod and get the fuck out before he says anything else.

  ‘Slow down Brother, he’s fine, Hyde is with him again,’ Prez yells in my head stopping me at the front door.

  I clear my head and get to my bike calmly. As I’m riding I think something is off and I need to be at the plant right the fuck now. I gun it swerving around cars. Gene is guiding someone to Brothers downtown. I focus on the road and pull into the lot too fas
t. I lift the front wheel and spin so I can back in. Not exactly the calm Prez wanted, but it worked out. I run to the door, but it’s locked. Pulling my lower pocket open I get my picks and open the door. I’ve never been here, but ran through the building on the feeds so we knew where cameras were needed.

  I close my eyes and picture the feed then open them and run down the side hall. Jess is looking at building belts so she must be in the assembly area. I hit the door and a shot rings out. Fuck! I hit my mic. “Ghost to Ops One, in the plant, shots fired.”

  “Roger Ghost. We have your shooter walking the assembly room. Eagle Eye is moving people out to the hall. Security is down.”

  “Get me Lee moving people out. I’m on the side until I’m clear.”

  “Negative Ghost. We have backup on the way,” Gene says.

  I stop and back out to the hall. “Get Prez on Ops and keep your fuckin’ backup out of the building. I am not repeating myself.”

  “Prez on Ops One Ghost. You’re clear on the side.” Brantley tells me.

  I slide back in and see Dakota walking a pipe above the assembly line. The pussy is yelling for him so I move in and down while his voice echoes through the room. ‘Above you Brother.’

  I show him I see and keep moving forward. It’s the broken armed asshole. I want to laugh. He’d have never made Security let alone HS. I relax and walk toward him as Dakota jumps down landing behind him and he spins with the rifle pointed at Dakota. It’s slapped away and I watch his face fall.

  I hear Ops with Hyde. He hit his head falling down the stairs and the shot is a flesh wound. This is good. I lean against a machine and watch Dakota kick the shit out of the asshole. He’s explaining how to hurt someone that doesn’t have the brains to think about their movements. I laugh because he’s so serious and the jerk won’t just fall already. Jess comes over and stands with me.

  “You going to help him?” she asks smiling.

  I laugh. “No. Does he look like he needs my help?” She looks over still smiling. She shakes her head no. “He’d kick my ass if I wrecked his fun for the day.” She laughs.