by Aija Monique
“Well, we better lie low. Tommy frequents quite a few states to re-up. He won’t let this just go away. Shit, Tommy has killed for just under ten grand. He has probably called the entire cavalry in to ensure our capture. With a couple of hundred thousand missing, there is bound to be a price on our heads,” Cy said humping his shoulders. It was too late to get sensitive about the situation. They were walking dead. “The game of it all would be in the time they managed to stay free and alive until the day came to face the music.”
“Music.” Phil cracked up. “Nigga, you mean death. You mighty nonchalant about this shit, Cy. I got my son to worry about. Is there something we should know? Better yet, does Shun know that Tommy had his own nephew slaughtered at the county jail, and for what? A cup of noodles for the entire D Block?”
“Let me worry about Shun, OK? I don’t want that man trippin’ off things we had nothing to do with.”
“That’s the fuckin’ point, Cy. Them muthafuckas don’t give a shit about Frankie, and they could care even less about us, you feel me? I have to protect my son.”
“From what?” Shun interjected. Both Cy and Phil were caught in the wind with their bare asses out.
“Man, that Tommy dude had Frankie murdered in jail,” Phil said.
“Yeah, I know. No use in us trying to make sense of things. Our focus is about money and safety. Now, get focused and get yo’ asses back to yo’ seat.”
Phil shook his head as Shun downplayed the situation. He felt unappreciated after the hit and run. Shun still didn’t see him as an equal. Damn, do I have to lay my life on the line for my own flesh and blood to believe in me?
* * *
Detective Santiago and a team of ten officers from SWAT stormed into Tommy’s club.
“All right, cut the music! Everyone down!” Santiago announced. “Bakersfield Police.”
Five goons stepped in front of Detective Santiago, guns blazing. Santiago held up her badge as if to ward off Tommy’s boys.
“Excuse us, pig! Not sure if you know, but your badge means nothing here. This a place of business. We will show you the way out.”
Detective Santiago stood her ground. “I have information involving Tommy’s nephew, Frankie.”
“Let her through, Jake.” Tommy stepped from under the shadows and presented himself. “What did he do now?” Tommy smirked. He was so used to hearing of Frankie’s shenanigans. He had inherited Frankie. He raised him since the age of five. Tommy’s brother was killed in connection to some missing drugs and the killing of the cartel’s drug lord’s son.
Santiago cleared her throat. “He was taken into custody in connection with drug trafficking. The other two are at large. I am sorry to have to tell you, but Frankie was murdered last night in County. We think he was killed to keep quiet, perhaps from his other two partners in crime.” Santiago watched Tommy’s face as closely as she could in the dim light.
She was looking for some form of emotion or admission of guilt. It never came. Tommy simply turned on his heel and walked out of sight. He threw his hand up and waved to the disc jockey. As the music filled the club once more, everyone melted from their frozen state and began to dance.
Santiago was deep in thought as she approached her office. She swung into the parking space and headed straight for the tea and coffee. Santiago knew that Tommy knew about his nephew’s death. She also knew that he wouldn’t speak to any law enforcement about the situation either. Santiago approached Tommy just to get a read on him. He was fearless and cocky, two things that made others cringe. Dana knew that Tommy would set things in motion to avenge his family, even if Frankie was a sloppy wannabe gangsta.
Santiago was going to see if she could stir the pot a bit. Shun and his cousin Phil were on the run. The only thing she could figure was that Tommy would gather his goons to hunt the two fugitives down. More so puzzling was how Cyrus fit in the circle. He was deep undercover trying to take Tommy down. He had made a few bets at Tommy’s casino. He was in over his head, Dana could feel it. She was missing something. Cyrus was missing, and he left her no clues or contact info so that she could protect him, if need be. Sipping her tea, Dana paced back and forth at her desk before plopping down in her seat. Everything reminded her of Cyrus. She was an emotional wreck.
“Santiago, Keats, get your asses in here,” the sergeant came barreling out of his office. Dana rolled her eyes and followed Keats into their boss’s office. She was in no mood to hear a bunch of negative reinforcement. Her partner was out in the wind God knows where, and she was stuck to play good-cop/bad-cop with a rookie detective who was still wet behind the ears.
“What’s up, boss?” Keats asked overly cocky.
O’Reilly ignored him and looked completely through the new kid on the block and addressed Dana. “Detective Santiago, have you made contact with Cyrus?”
“No, not yet. We stopped by Tommy’s place to deliver the news about his nephew Frankie, but that’s about it.”
“Shit! You don’t reckon he went rogue, do you? I hate to call it, but I think he has either been made or is in too deep,” Keats stated.
Dana could feel a lump in her throat swelling. She was afraid to respond verbally for fear she would get choked up and have a complete breakdown.
“No, he wouldn’t go off the grid for no good reason. Something is the cause for Cy’s absence.”
“We don’t have the time to debate any of this. Just find him,” O’Reilly demanded, escorting the two detectives out of his office.
CHAPTER 19
Dana Santiago
Santiago couldn’t deny her love for Cyrus, but she would never destroy his marriage with Casey. She was such a sweet girl. Seemed too soft for Cyrus. Santiago enjoyed their playful banter and partnership. The chase for the suspect and Cyrus’s love made her moist, and the catch that more exciting. Dana knew Cyrus was in trouble, she just didn’t know how or why.
Thoughts raged in her mind as the emotions for her partner rendered her less optimistic and prepared to handle things professionally. Fed up with tapping her pencil on the pile of late report submissions, she grabbed her leather bomber, her badge, and gun, and headed out to her vehicle One thing she loved about the Narcotics Division was ditching the uniform. Men especially treated women in uniform less than savory. She was a cop’s daughter, niece, and grandchild, so choosing to be a doctor or lawyer was frowned upon.
Dana’s dad didn’t take too well to court-appointed lawyers. He felt that lawyers for the defense were lying scoundrels that simply made fun of the law. As far as he was concerned, lawyers were there for the win, not justice. He died a bitter old man after taking the life of another man who murdered her younger brother. He drove out to his favorite lake, had a few beers, even caught a few fish, and then swallowed his gun. Even though he committed a serious crime, no one could argue against his actions. The man responsible for killing her mother was set free on the count of circumstantial evidence and corruption of evidence. The defense claimed the suspect was pressured into making a false confession.
Dana could care less about all the red and yellow tape her father cut through. She was just sorry that he had taken his own life for fear he would be killed in a prison full of those he put there.
Dana was so lost in her thoughts she hadn’t realized she found herself just a block away from Cyrus’s home. Her stomach tightened in knots because she didn’t know what to do about her missing partner. Showing up at his home unannounced could prove to be a bit fishy. Still, Dana swallowed hard and parked her unmarked police car a few doors down from Cy’s place of residence. She noticed a black-on-black SUV was parked in the driveway. Cy’s two-door Camaro was nowhere to be found. Dana went on high alert. Her first instinct was to draw her weapon and check things out, but she didn’t want to alarm anyone, especially if Cyrus had visitors from family.
Instead, she placed her weapon in front instead of her back holster and proceeded to knock on the door. She was especially nervous. It wasn’t the fact that she was doi
ng a wellness check-up. It was the fact that she would be coming face-to-face with Cyrus’s wife and child. She hadn’t had time to prepare a script. She was hoping to ensure she came across as a concerned member of Cyrus’s team and not some jealous side bitch. She hadn’t so much as kissed Cyrus, so she couldn’t take pride in being the mistress either.
Truthfully, Dana’s love for Cyrus was unspoken for fear he would ask for a new partner. Somehow, Dana believed that he knew how she felt. He just never played on it.
She swallowed hard and straightened her stance before knocking on the Dunkin residence. Santiago rang the doorbell for the third time. Her first thought was that no one was home, but the big truck in the driveway said otherwise.
After a few moments, Casey and her bundle of joy answered the door. Casey had only cracked the door wide enough to see who her uninvited guest was.
Dana was a tad confused. Casey had this unwavering stare that spelled fear—all of it.
“Daaa-na, hi,” Casey said, clearing her throat.
“You OK?” she said, lowering her eyes. “Is the baby OK?” Dana was asking questions that left an open window for Casey to send her a clue about what was really going on. Dana was nervous that something was wrong with Casey and the baby. Somehow, she needed to get in touch with Cyrus. Suddenly, she felt sick to her stomach, and her intuition began to flare.
“Casey, is Cyrus here?”
Casey’s eyes began to water a bit as she shook her head no.
“I understand,” Dana said.
Casey’s body jolted a bit as if she was being pushed. Dana noticed right away. “Do you know where Cy is? We were supposed meet up at the station, but he never showed.”
Casey looked down. It was a show of panic. Dana picked up on it right away. “Can I come in?” she inquired. Casey was as stiff as a board. Then again, Dana caught the little forceful jolt she’d seen before.
“I rather you not come in at the moment. With the newborn, I have to take extra precautions.”
Dana played along and giggled, “Right. My apologies. Well, if he shows, tell him to call me and check in at the station.” Dana bounced down the steps to Casey’s home and walked briskly to her car.
The “gentlemen” visiting Casey weren’t family at all. Santiago would have to form a team to enter the home without causing harm to Casey and the baby. She paced back and forth around her car. Then she called Cyrus with no answer once again. Dana was starting to panic. The next call was to Keats. She would need backup immediately.
CHAPTER 20
Casey
Casey solemnly watch Dana walk back to her car. She was near tears watching perhaps her last chance to get away from Tommy’s goons. Cyrus hadn’t made good on his gambling debts. Now he had a hit on himself—and his family.
She began to cry hysterically as one of the men slammed the door and locked it.
“Casey, we don’t want to hurt you or your son. We just need to get a little information from you.” One of the interrogators walked around Casey as he spoke to her. Casey was breathing hard and fast, on the verge of a panic attack. The man stopped in front of her and stared into her eyes.
“Where is Cyrus?”
“I don’t know,” she answered.
“Casey, are you a good wife?”
“Yes.”
“Devoted? Attentive?”
“I try to be.”
“Good,” the interrogator said, tilting his head to the sky and closing his eyes as if basking in the ambiance of his power.
“You know I can’t believe that such a devoted and attentive wife wouldn’t be aware of her husband’s whereabouts or his problems with handling money. You know, your husband has quite the gambling problem, and be owes someone a great deal of money. Money he borrowed to ensure you and your little boy have this very roof over your heads.” The interrogator took a long pause and looked Casey dead in her face once more. “Where’s the money?”
“I don’t know,” Casey responded once more with a more confident, stern tone. She was unable to comply with the men because she didn’t know about Cyrus and his gambling problem. Cy kept most of his outside ventures to the winds when came home. Only this time, the problems hunted him down. Casey searched her mind for clues to freeing herself and her son. She really relied on Dana getting her subtle gestures to indicate that something was very wrong.
Casey asked for permission to use the bathroom. The two armed men obliged. She gently laid her baby down in his basinet and proceeded to go to the bathroom with him.
“The baby stays with us,” one of the armed men said. Casey sighed and reluctantly let go of the portable bassinet. She walked to the bathroom and quickly retrieved her phone from the plant behind the toilet. She texted Cyrus first. She had no idea about the troubles he was in. Now she was caught in the cross fire. Casey was so fueled with rage her character count was out on her message to Cy.
Next text was to Dana. She needed help from the one woman that was sleeping with her husband. At least, that’s what she thought. All the late phone calls and long runs left Casey up late, crying, wondering.
She never spoke of it. She took what he dealt because she truly loved Cyrus. She didn’t know how dark her world with Cyrus had become.
Gambling. Where did he get the money for these big-time gambling escapades? Casey was so lost in her mind that she didn’t hear the loud knocking on the door. She quickly took her pants down and sat on the toilet just as one of the armed men busted in.
“What’s taking so long?” he asked.
Casey hurriedly closed her legs so as not to be exposed. “My nerves are shot. It’s taking me awhile. My stomach is all out of whack.” She passed gas for added effect. Her body was in tune with her performance. For that, she was internally grateful.
The home invader cleared his throat, “Excuse me. Take your time, handle your business. Sorry to barge in. My partner was a little worried, that’s all. I don’t want to hurt you; however, he will pay it no mind. Please hurry.”
Casey gave him a nod as he closed the door once more. After he had gone, she managed to retrieve the phone again to check her messages. She had no reply from Cyrus yet. Thoughts of foul play flowed like running water. She became weak and dizzy all of a sudden. Panic settled in. Casey was still healing from her C-section. The incision throbbed, and her legs were heavy. She lost her balance and fainted, hitting her head on the edge of the sink as she went down. She was out cold.
CHAPTER 21
Permission Slip
“Keats, there is something going down at Cyrus’s home. I went by to check on him. He wasn’t there, but Casey had some unwanted company. Can you round up a team? I’m moving to higher ground so I can keep surveillance on the home. What you want to bet those are Tommy’s boys holding her hostage in the home? Either Cyrus owes them money, or he has something they are looking for.”
“OK, I’m on it.” Keats hung up the phone and told O’Reilly what Dana suspected was up with Casey. O’Reilly was visibly furious and told Keats to round up a crew and keep him posted. “Not a hair out of place for my daughter and grandson, you understand me?” O’Reilly warned.
Keats nodded his head to let him know that he understood everything he was asked to do, but he was stunned to find that his daughter was Cyrus’s wife. The plot thickens, thought Keats. Boy, oh boy, I wonder if Santiago is aware of this.
O’Reilly slammed his door and got right on the phone. “We had a deal. What the fuck is going on? You have my daughter hostage. My grandson. I swear to God if they are harmed or mistreated—”
Tommy cut him off midsentence. “Have you forgotten who is running this show? I pay you to make sure my transactions are clean, and in exchange, I take care of the riffraff so that you remain the city’s best choice for a healthy community. Now, if you are ready to speak to me like a man, we can discuss this issue properly.”
“What is going on, Tommy?” O’Reilly asked with great irritation. He was burning with anger. No person was more impor
tant than his daughter and grandson. Cyrus had fucked up real bad this time. He had fronted Cy funds to try to win back some of his lost money, but in his heart, O’Reilly knew that Tommy would never just allow him to win the money back. It was a trap, and O’Reilly warned his son-in-law of all the consequences, but the dice entrapped his mind.
“It’s obvious that one of my snot nose goons did this, because this mission hadn’t crossed my desk for approval. Not that this current set of events is beyond my scope of behavioral adjustment. I just haven’t gotten to that point of rage to consider murdering a woman and child. I will check him, don’t you worry.”
“Two of my detectives are on their way to the home now to rescue Casey. Make the call. Get your men out of there and leave Casey out of it.”
“I assume my disobedient soldier took the initiative to capture his precious love to flush Cyrus out of hiding,” Tommy said calmly.
“Well, there are rules to this shit, Tommy. Businesses run via protocol and permissions.”
“Find Cyrus,” Tommy said silently and hung up the phone.
CHAPTER 22
The Rescue
“Shit! They are on the move. Keats, where are you?” Dana said worriedly. Detective Santiago started her car to get a location on the two armed men that were holding Casey hostage. There were no signs of Casey or the baby.
“Keats! I’m tailing the two men that have left the Dunkin home.”
“You shouldn’t be going alone, Dana.”
“I’ll be fine. Just get there and let me know what the situation is.”
“Will do. And, Dana, please be careful.”
Small butterflies fluttered in her stomach that caught her by surprise. “I will,” she replied with an awkward crack in her voice that she couldn’t catch before her response reached her parted lips. Dana hung up and turned her attention to the black SUV pulling into Tommy’s club. She slammed her hands on the steering wheel as her suspicions came to be true. What has Cyrus gotten himself in? Has he been made, or was he just in far deeper than I thought?