Covert Deception

by Kyle West

  Vivian says yes, “I am looking forward to seeing my Mom and sister. I would like to really spend some time with them after the wake. Can they come visit with me here in the room?”

  “Shouldn’t be a problem. So you are pretty close to your Mom? Did your husband get to meet your family?”

  Vivian is sitting on the couch, “Yes my Mom and sister came out here to meet Jesse right after we got married. They loved Jesse, they said they could tell he loved me by the way he looked at me.” Det. Ellis pours a glass of orange juice as he sits down at the dining table…“Sounds like he was a good guy ma’am. We’ll find out what happened to him, don’t worry okay? Whatever he was into, whatever was going on with him, he didn’t have to get it the way he did. So tomorrow after the funeral we gonna sit down and start to put all of this together, right?”

  Det. Ellis gets up from the dining table and goes into the kitchen as Vivian’s cell phone rings, it is Ronelle again.

  “Viv that Det. Roussel was just at my house. He said he’s been trying to find you since yesterday.”

  Both women are confused, Vivian responds, “Didn't he know I was up here? I was supposed to meet with him and Det. Ellis today but I’ll see him tomorrow.”

  Ronelle responds, “He just wanted me to tell you to call him ASAP. You got his number?”

  Det. Ellis comes out of the kitchen. Vivian replies “No. How do you spell his name again? Roussel, you said? What’s the number?” Det. Ellis watches Vivian as she takes down Det. Roussel’s number then ends her call, Det. Ellis asks, “Mrs. Baylor, is there a problem?”

  Vivian answers, “It seems as if Det. Roussel was looking for me this morning. Did you see him when you were at the station?”

  Det. Ellis takes a second to respond, “Yes, we talked. He’s outta this now. This is my investigation. I’ll talk to Roussel. Oh, I forgot, Roussel discovered that your husband went AWOL almost three weeks ago. Jesse Baylor was not a part of U.S Military service at all when he was killed. Did you know anything about that?”

  Vivian is shocked as she mumbles to herself, “AWOL?” Det. Ellis continues, “Yes, just sort of walked off the job so to say.” Vivian is speechless as takes a few seconds to understand.

  8pm - Lake Lawn Metairie Funeral Home, located not too far from the Louis Armstrong International Airport. Vivian is at Jesse’s wake greeting family members, friends and colleagues from work as they enter, thanking them for their support. Ronelle and Marie, Vivian’s sister, do not leave her side. Marie notices that Vivian looks a little winded and pale.

  Marie questions her, “Viv, sit down here for a bit. Your legs look a little wobbly. Did you eat today?”

  Vivian tells Marie that she is fine.

  Ronelle walks over and leads Vivian to a chair towards to the back of the funeral parlor and says, “Viv, sit down for a minute. Take a break. I'll sit with you, c’mon.”

  Marie says, “I’m going to the kitchen to get Vivian something to snack on.”

  Ronelle wants to take Vivian’s mind off of everything at the moment and asks, “Hey, who is that fine brotha over there? Is he a cousin of yours? Call him over here girl.”

  Vivian chuckles, “Ro, you are a mess. I handled a claim for him, he owns a car dealership in Hammond. His name is Mark and he’s married. That’s his wife over there.”

  Ronelle laughs, “Oh he got his own business too…and you wound up with Jesse?”

  Vivian turns quickly and sneers at Ronelle, who quickly responds, “Sorry Viv, I didn’t mean that.”

  Ronelle rubs Vivian’s thigh and apologizes again as she adds, “His wife is cute…I should rip her weave out and beat her with it she so damn pretty.” As Vivian punches Ronelle in the arm to tell her to be nice. A few members of Vivian’s family come over to give her a hug. Vivian introduces them to Ronelle as they hug and walk away.

  Ronelle queries Vivian, “Where’s Jesse’s mother?”

  Vivian hesitates for a few seconds, then tells Ronelle, “She’s not here Ro. I spoke to her last night and she told me that the family won’t be able to come down.”

  Ronelle stares at Vivian in disbelief.

  Vivian uncomfortably probes, “Don’t ask me, that’s what she said. She didn’t tell me anything else or wanna talk, so I left it at that. I don’t wanna hear nothin’ from you about it. Not one word Ronelle.”

  Ronelle is still staring at Vivian, shakes her head and does not comment.

  A tall, well-dressed, black man then enters the funeral home. He makes his way through the crowd in the foyer, speaking to no one. The mysterious man walks to the entrance of the parlor area, then calmly proceeds straight to Jesse’s coffin. He casually opens the coffin, and stares down at the Jesse’s body. Ronelle is about to tell the man to close the coffin, until a concerned Vivian grabs her by the arm and tells her to sit back down.

  The mysterious man casually sticks his hand into Jesse’s coffin to feel his neck for a pulse.

  Vivian and Ronelle are in shock as they watch the man slowly close the coffin, standing there for a few brief seconds before turning and walking up the aisle to leave.

  The mysterious man makes eye contact with Vivian as he’s about to pass her sitting down. Vivian and Ronelle are speechless. The mystery man stops before exiting the parlor door, bends down and softly says to Vivian, “I am very sorry for your loss, may God continue to be with you as you go through this difficult time.” He leaves the parlor through the foyer and exits the funeral home without as much as looking at anyone.

  Ronelle gathers herself, “Viv who in the hell was that guy?”

  Vivian still stunned, “I don’t know him. I ain’t never seen him before Ro.”

  On the other side of the parlor…a thinly built man, medium height, dressed in a white

  Kangol hat and white overalls, seated in the back row gets up and approaches Jesse’s coffin. Vivian and Ronelle watch the inappropriately dressed man open Jesse’s coffin, sticking a mirror under Jesse’s nose to see if he is breathing. Someone from the back of the parlor tells the white hat man to show some respect and close the coffin. He pays no mind to the comment. Vivian and Ronelle stand astonished at what they are seeing, but do not approach him.

  The man conceals the mirror in his pocket, closing the coffin and quickly turns and exits the funeral home without saying a word. One of Vivian’s cousins follows the man but stops at the door.

  There is now a buzz in the foyer of the funeral home. People are talking about the white hat man.

  Vivian’s cousin Matt comes over to see how she is doing. Vivian tells him to check on her mother who is sitting in the foyer area, Ronelle follows him.

  Amidst the buzz, suddenly two white men appear in the funeral home foyer. They calmly stand among Vivian’s family and friends, but even with all of the energy going on in the foyer they hardly go unnoticed with their strange looks.

  One of the men is tall and has red hair and the other one is short and stocky with short platinum blonde hair. The unidentified men smoothly make their way to the parlor entrance, closing the parlor door behind them. With the commotion still in the foyer, the seventy-five or so people sitting in the parlor watch the mysterious men hastily walk down the center aisle towards Jesse’s coffin. The shorter man stares at Vivian and makes a sudden stop as if he wants to speak to her. The taller man grabs him as they continue down the aisle to the coffin. Vivian carefully and slowly makes her way back to the parlor door in fear. Now standing at the coffin, the shorter man quickly opens the coffin and sticks his hand into the coffin, violently shaking Jesse’s body in an attempt to wake him up.

  As Vivian witnesses this, she tries to unlock the parlor door but is unable to.

  The taller mystery man turns and says to her, “I apologize. We mean no harm.”

  Vivian stands in shock with both hands over her mouth, shaking in fear. Two of Vivian’s male friends from the back of the parlor raise up from their seats, and slowly start walking down the middle aisle towards the two strangers. The sh
orter man proceeds to shake Jesse’s body again, this time even more violently. A stunned hush develops in the parlor as everyone looks on in fear.

  Ronelle is on the other side of the parlor door and can be heard tugging on the parlor door, trying to open it.

  She yells through the door, “The door is locked. Somebody open the door!’

  The taller man nudges his friend in the back and says, “C’mon, let’s go!” The mystery men make their way to the aisle on the right side of the parlor to avoid a confrontation in the center aisle with Vivian’s family and friends. Vivian cautiously follows her friends down the middle aisle for protection as the unidentified men make their way around to the parlor door. As soon as the shorter man unlocks the parlor door, Ronelle steps in and snaps, “Who locked the damn door!?”

  She makes eye contact with the angry looking shorter man and a look of fear quickly comes across Ronelle’s face, she quiets up immediately. The taller stranger and Vivian’s two male friends defensively stare each other down, yet keeping their distance.

  He then says out loud to everyone in the church, “My condolences, no disrespect!”

  The two men hurry their way through the foyer, through Vivian's family and friends, rushing out of the funeral home. A crowd appears at the door as they watch the two men rush to their car. As the car speeds out of the parking lot, they pass Det. Ellis who is sitting in his car. A few of Vivian’s family members come out of the funeral home to watch the car speed off. A few moments later another car turns its headlights on and leaves the parking lot.

  Chapter 4

  9:50 am - The following morning Mr. Guidry, the complex manager where Ronelle and Vivian live, is busy re-painting the lines on the tenant's parking spaces.

  Det. Roussel pulls up and gets out his car to talk to him. He introduces himself and asks Mr. Guidry if Vivian Baylor lives in the complex. Mr. Guidry replies, “Oh, yes! Finally you guys show up. I reported the break in three days ago. I need a report from you guys so I can put in a claim to my insurance company.”

  Det. Roussel dismisses Mr. Guidry’s statement, “Do you know where I can find Vivian Baylor? I spoke to a Ronelle Carter yesterday about getting in touch with Mrs. Baylor.”

  “Yeah, Vivian is staying with Ronelle since the break in. Officer I need a police report number? I mean do you want me to show you the damage to the unit?”

  “What break in? At Vivian Baylor’s place? Yes, show me. When did you say this took place?” The two men then walk over to Vivian’s condo.

  As Det. Roussel and Mr. Guidry enter Vivian’s home…Mr. Guidry shows the detective the damage done to the front door. The door is unable to be closed properly. He further shows him the huge holes in the kitchen and bedroom walls.

  Mr. Guidry comments, “This is way over three thousand dollars in damages so I’ll send in a claim so the insurance will take care of it. See how the door was smashed in, hinges bent real bad, need a new door. Look at the holes in the walls! The hard wood floors are garbage now! Those have to be replaced! The other detective said he’d take care of this. That was two days ago. Look at this!”

  “So you did file a report already? So, why are you bothering me about this?”

  Mr. Guidry snaps, “Because it’s been two days now! The detective that was here with Mrs. Baylor, the one she left with, told me he’d take care of this for me so I can get my insurance people on this! I haven’t heard from anybody!”

  Det. Roussel interrupts, “Mrs. Baylor left with a detective? Who? When was this?”

  10:30 am - Vivian and her family are at Chalmette National Cemetery, Jesse’s funeral has just ended. Vivian is walking arm in arm with her sister Marie and her Mother back to her limousine.

  Vivian is dressed in all black, wearing sunglasses covering her eyes, her hair is pinned up. Vivian looks up and sees a tall white man in a dark suit, with a grey overcoat, with shades on, and holding a briefcase in his hand. The mysterious man is standing near their limousine, talking to the driver. As Vivian gets closer she immediately recognizes its Insp. Clark. Vivian, Marie and their mother walk up to him. The inspector quickly extends his condolences to the women,

  Vivian softly pulls her arm from Marie to take Insp. Clark’s hand, “Thank you. Thank you for coming.”

  “I represent the F.B.I. here for one of our own. I do have some information for you and I need to speak with you privately if possible ma’am.”

  Ronelle followed the women over to the limo. She sees Insp. Clark and snaps, “Who are you?!” She adds, Viv is this one of the dudes from last night?!”

  One of Vivian’s cousins menacingly moves towards the Inspector as Vivian responds, “No! No! He’s police…or F.B.I., something?!”

  Insp. Clark interjects, “I’m with the F.B.I. here in New Orleans. I’m here for Mrs. Baylor.” He turns to Vivian and continues, “We heard there was an occurrence at your husband’s wake last night so I wanted to make sure you were not harmed. That’s why I’m here. I need a minute with you ma’am. Just a minute.”

  Vivian says, “I’m with my family right now Insp. Clark can this wait? Insp. Clark replies, “Yes ma’am, I understand. This won’t take long I promise. Just wanted to ask what actually happened last night. It might have something to do with Jesse’s case.” Vivian hesitantly turns to her family and friends to ask be excused so she can talk to the Inspector. The two slowly walk away from her family members down the roadway. Insp. Clark probes, “So ma’am tell me about these unwanted visitors from last night.” “How did you know about that?”

  “I came by last night to find out where the funeral was going to held this morning. We wanted to make sure all the details were taken care of, send flowers and all. Even though your husband is labeled AWOL by the army, the investigation into that is still pending. And until that changes we will make sure Jesse gets full military benefits okay ma’am. Vivian thanks the Inspector for that and adds, “Yes everything was beautiful. I didn’t want to send Jesse back to St. Louis. We started our life together here in New Orleans. I’m sure he’d want to rest here. His family agreed too so this is nice.”

  “Ma’am I need to show you some pictures. I need to see if you recognize anyone in these pictures okay.”

  He reaches into his briefcase and pulls out a manila folder. In the folder he shows Vivian five individual pictures, four of them were the men that disrupted Jesse’s wake last night and the other one was of Jesse.

  Vivian spiritedly tells Insp. Clark, “That's them! Those are the guys! All four of them showed up at the wake last night! Who are they? They scared the hell out of me!”

  The men Vivian identifies are M.I.C.O. commando soldiers Greg McKenna, Marlon Starr, Ross Barone and Jerome “Rome” Dixon. Insp. Clark further explains to Vivian that the investigation is showing that Jesse and the other men agreed to split the missing three hundred million dollars amongst each other. And that it appears that Jesse Baylor took off with the money without splitting it with them.”

  Vivian is stunned into silence as Insp. Clark continues, “We had a feeling they were around but we didn’t want to scare you. Mrs. Baylor these guys were out to find Jesse to get their share of that money. No surprise that they would come here to New Orleans looking for him.”

  Vivian slowly takes off her sunglasses and with fear in her face asks, “These guys killed my husband didn’t they?”

  Um…most likely ma’am, yes. We figure since you saw them last night they do not have the money yet….and that’s not good.”

  Vivian gets light-headed and ask the inspector to help her to a nearby stone bench. She tries to catch her breath as the Insp. continues to speak in a soothing tone, “Mrs. Baylor relax. Here’s the situation. Those men are here for that money. When we, the government, has the money back the mad scramble for it will end. So we all need to locate this money. So if you do know where it is Mrs. Baylor we need to get it back to National Security. You sure you don’t know anything about the money ma’am?”

  Vivian while still
taking deep breaths nods her head no. The inspector continues, “You see what happened to your husband over this, we don’t want any more people getting hurt over this. If you want I can go with you to your home to see if we might find anything? Something to help us figure out where the money is maybe? You never know we might even be able to solve all of this in an hour or two. Federal case closed, arrest these guys for murder and all your worries go away. Do you have time for us to do this today ma’am?”

  It is then when Ronelle and Marie walk up on them sitting on the bench. Ronelle interrupts, “Viv we need to go. You haven’t eaten yet honey. C’mon.”

  Insp. Clark stands from the bench and says, “Yes I’ve taken up enough of your time today ma’am. We can talk later Mrs. Baylor call me if you need anything okay. Try to keep what we talked about between us if you can okay.”

  The inspector yells to Ronelle and Marie that it was nice meeting them as the women walk back towards the limousine.

  2:35 pm - At the New Orleans East district station, Det. Roussel looks through a file cabinet as a secretary comes over to give him a report. A few seconds later he yells across the room to Det. Huntley who is working on the computer at his desk,

  “Look at this, Vivian Baylor hasn’t been straight with us.” Det. Huntley takes the report and quickly reads it and responds back, “When was this?”

  Det. Roussel replies, “What’s today? This was like almost a week ago?”

  Det. Huntley continues with his queries , “This is out in St. Bernard Parish, huh?”

  “Yeah, we didn’t release the Baylor SUV yet did we?”

  Det. Huntley says, “Nah, CSI still has it downstairs. Let me call ’em and make sure.”

  “Don't bother, let’s go.” The detectives head down to the garage where Jesse’s Navigator is being held as evidence.

  4:40 pm -Vivian’s limousine pulls up in the valet area of the J.W Marriott hotel… returning from Jesse’s funeral in Chalmette. The driver comes around to the passenger’s side back door and opens it for Vivian. As she steps out you can see how emotionally spent she is. Vivian’s mother and sister Marie are flying back to Philadelphia at 8pm. Vivian wants them to leave town immediately and be out of harm’s way as soon as possible. She tells the limousine driver to take them straight to the airport even though they will be a few hours early.