‘Yeah, three years and three months next week however I have to say in three years we have been dating I don’t remember Leon ever mentioning you.’
Kerry knew what she said would leave no doubt in Leon’s mind that she knew he was keeping something away from her.
Leon lowered his head as Mr Edwards turned towards him, ‘Really… ?’ He said sarcastically. ‘You haven’t talked about me, not even once.’
Leon glared at him and then looked in Kerry’s direction.
‘Um, Mr Edwards is an old friend from New York.’ he said. ‘We haven’t seen each other in ages. He just got into town and Jay gave him my address. Go back upstairs babe. I’ll be up in a minute, promise.’
Wearily, Kerry took Leon’s feeble explanation and decided to give him one last glare before turning back around to exit the room. As she passed the so called Mr Edwards she cut her eyes followed with a faint kissing of her teeth. Leon knew he would have to come up with some answers to the questions that were coming.
As soon as he felt sure she was out of ear shot he turned his attention back to Mr Edwards.
‘Like, for real, why are you here? Sir.’
‘I need to know why you were at Black’s hang-out last night.’
Leon was visibly surprised. ‘Huh, how did you know that?’ he said.
‘Don’t fuck around Nate. This is serious business and I…’
‘Stop… !’ Leon interrupted.
His guest was a little shocked at how Leon had just cut him off, but before he could say anything in return, Leon walked over to the couch, pulled out the Gucci sports bag and said ‘. . . This is what I was doing.’
Curious, the Chief decided not to address Leon’s previous indiscretion and quietly watched Leon unzipped the brown leather bag.
‘He wants me to drop it off somewhere.’ Leon explained. ‘I don’t know who the money is going to or why but I should be getting full instructions from Perry soon.’
The Chief started to rub his chin, as if in deep thought and then said ‘Alright, make the drop, find out what you can and report back to me as soon as you get back.’
Leon started to speak but the Chief halted him by raising his hand to his own lips and then after a slight pause spoke in a very low tone ‘I know you want Black dead and I gotta give it to you, you’ve kept it together long enough for us to make a solid case against him, but you can’t get side tracked ok.’
Leon wasn’t sure how to take those words. As far as he knew for the last three years he had been focused however he decided to keep his thoughts to himself.
‘Will Jay be going with you? The Chief enquired.
‘Yeah,’ Leon replied.
‘I’m supposed to be meeting him today to give him the run down.’
‘Alright, make sure you call me before you leave.’
‘Sure, one question though.’
The suited gentlemen waited for Leon’s question.
‘Why do you call Dean by his case name but you’re willing to come into my house and blow my cover?’
The guy didn’t answer, just smiled, turned and headed towards the way he came in. Leon walked past the Chief to meet him at the door.
‘By the way,’ Leon said sharply. ‘. . . I saw a guy in a BMW outside Black’s last night.’
‘Oh! Did you fancy him?’ replied the Chief.
Leon refused to take the bait and continued with what he was saying.
‘I could be wrong but he had the ‘X-look’.’ He said.
That meant the guy could have been anything from ex-military, to federal agent. Mr Edwards started to laugh. ‘See what I’m saying Nate, you’re not focused. That was Kevin Carter from Washington. He’s with us. If you were on your game you would have figured that out.’
‘What! You had me followed… ?’ Leon exclaimed. Forgetting he was just asking the Chief to keep it down. ‘I can’t believe this. If I didn’t know any better I would think you are trying to blow my cover. You know I can’t be followed while I’m out in the streets. Why would you do that?’
‘Why would I do that… ?’ replied the Chief in an almost shocked tone. ‘Hmm, well let’s see. My department is carrying out one of the biggest drug investigations ever put together in US history. With the information gained by a certain detective on the case - in only three years I might add - we have come a shaved pussy hair away from bringing down those non-educated black fucks. However, said detective decides to go AWOL and misses two of his check in sessions.’
As if to calm himself down Mr Edwards gently tugged on his suits lapels and straightened his tie. After a slight sigh he said ‘I don’t like to feel nervous and when you don’t check in, I get nervous. So I have to make sure I get the information I need so I can get over my nervousness.’ The Chief paused long enough to flash Leon a smile then said ‘If it makes you feel any better, Carter was in counter intelligence. I’ll make sure he gets to meet you and Jay formally when the time is right. I think he will be an asset to you out there.’
Mr Edward’s walked passed Leon, through the door and back into the sunlight.
‘Oh - and Leon.’
‘Yes Sir.’
‘She is beautiful. However if you really do love her and I mean ‘IF’, I suggest you end it, or hand in your badge.’
Without saying another word Leon’s real boss set off down the walk-way. Leon closed the door behind him and slowly walked over to the base of the stairs, whilst going over the decision he was just told he had to make.
After taking a few deep breaths he made his way up the stairs to the love of his life for what could be the very last time.
CHAPTER 4
Jay looked down at his Rolex and kissed his teeth in exasperation. It was coming up to two o’clock in the afternoon and Leon was two hours late. He had called Jay half an hour ago to say he’d got held up and that they should meet at ‘Sabatini’s’ - a small Italian restaurant discreetly located in the corner of a strip mall thirty miles up the I75. He said he wasn’t far and should be there in ten minutes. Jay looked at his watch again. ‘Shit, that was twenty minutes ago. What’s taking him so long?’ he thought.
Jay started to think about what could be holding Leon up and then out of exasperation made a sound cross between a heavy sigh and disgust. A few moments passed and the bell above the main door of the restaurant started to chime. Realising someone had just entered the eatery Jay looked towards the entrance and as he had hoped Leon walked in; - looking relieved he was entering into an area with air that was cooler than what was outside. As Leon approached, he could tell Jay was not happy by the frown lines that had taken residence on his forehead.
‘My bad bro…’ Leon said with a mischievous smile. ‘. . . If I told you the morning I’ve had you wouldn’t believe me.’
‘Yeah, you’re right.’ Jay replied. ‘I won’t believe you.’
‘Huh?’ retorted Leon.
‘Your right, I won’t believe you.’ Jay repeated.
Shaking his head Jay looked across the table at Leon and sighed.
‘How much longer are you going to keep this up for?’ He asked.
‘Ok, whoa.’ Leon replied hesitantly. He knew he was late but Jay’s attitude told him something else was bothering him besides his tardiness.
‘Yo, what’s eating you?’ Leon asked. ‘All this agro over me being a little late, it’s not like I haven’t been late before.’
Hearing that, Jay lurched forward in his seat and said ‘you just don’t get it do you? It’s not just about you being late. You’re not answering my calls, you’re going to meet Black on your own, you’re not making roll call…’
‘Anything else?’ Leon interjected.
Jay let out another sigh. ‘I’m not trying to get at you.’
Leon could not help but sense the near def
eat in his friend’s voice however he allowed Jay to continue.
‘You’re starting to worry me. Talk to me, what’s going on Nate?’
Hearing Jay use his real name left Leon in no doubt that Jay was more than upset. They had been on three separate cases together and up until that point whenever they were undercover, government names were never ever used - even if they were alone. Leon was fully aware that at that very moment he was now having a conversation with Dean Alan Ferguson, not Jay Daniels who played the supporting role in this real life FBI Drama. He was now talking to his best friend, - not his partner.
Leon took in a deep breath, released it through his nose and then said ‘Guess who came to pay me a visit this morning?’
‘The Chief?’ Jay replied in an all knowing tone.
With eyebrows raised, Leon was going to ask how Jay knew that but then immediately realised who he was speaking to. Jay was usually in the know when it came to things like that.
‘After you didn’t answer your last check in,’ Jay said sarcastically, ‘Chief Edwards called me. He said he knew this case was going to be too much for you and that he can see you’re getting side-tracked from the job at hand.’
‘And you?’ Leon enquired.
‘And me what?’
‘What do YOU see?’
Jay let out a slight chuckle before sitting back in his chair.
‘That’s the problem dawg; you’re not around for me to see anything. I know, I know. Sometimes you need your space, I get that. I got that twenty-seven years ago, when we first met. But this right here is not just A JOB. This is our lives bro and if we’re not together as one on this thing then…’
‘Then what Dean?’ Leon asked, goading his friend into saying what he really felt.
‘I’m saying this might have to be the end dude. I’m saying we might as well stop being partners and be assigned to different cases. I love you like a brother but I need to know I can rely on you and right now you’re not providing me with any confidence.’ Dean paused for effect, but unfortunately Leon gave nothing in response.
Slamming his open palm down onto the table stationed between them Jay said ‘For real man, what’s going on? Either you talk now or I call the Chief and tell him I think you should be taken off the case. What’s it going to be?’
Leon knew Jay was upset but now he could see the worry clearly written on his friends face. Listening to how his best friend in the world felt, touched a nerve and for a moment memories of his young self, - Jnr. Leon Michael Brown’ - (before he changed his name to Nathan) - son of Leon “Kilo” Brown, - came rushing back. The confused 9 year-old boy who had been shipped off to boarding school; after last seeing his mother disappear into protective custody in the back seat of a Crown-Victoria was plastered across his mind. A weird mixture of guilt, confusion - and even though he would hate to admit it, - fear, made its way into his gut. Strangely enough Leon’s lifelong ethos of ‘If you’re a true friend, you know I need my space’ didn’t seem to cover the shame he felt for causing his friend to feel as if he wasn’t around when he needed him. The same exact feelings he had been trying to deal with for god knows how long.
Nathan’s mind went down memory lane to that very first night at St Glenmuir’s - New-Science Boarding School. (A state and private funded school that was part military, specialising in social sciences) He remembered being beaten up by three older kids who left him lying on his bed with a busted lip and questions of why? Why has he now been made an out-cast? With tears in his eyes he saw the boy from the opposite bunk walk over and without saying a word place a small wooden bat about twelve inches long onto his bed. It was old and battered. Nathan felt a slight twinge of fear as his mind went through all the things it had probably been used for, other than baseball. Not sure if the boy was friend or foe Nathan decided not to touch the bat or say a word. The boy decided to reply in kind by walking back to his bunk across the room in silence. Nathan watched him get into his bed and pull the covers over his head. After a few moments he heard the boy say, “Hide it under your pillow. We’ll get’em tomorrow.”
After dealing with those three older boys, the next few years made way for a friendship motivated by appreciation and loyalty on the part of Nathan and as Dean got to know his new friend he couldn’t help but admire the drive he had to be better, to want the best and be different from the life he’d once known. Through the remaining years of boarding school they stayed tight as brothers. Due to Glenmuir’s specialised field - like all the other boys that attended, Leon and Jay fulfilled their entire school and University careers within those walls, graduating with honours and receiving degrees that aided them in being recruited to attend Quantico, the FBI’s training facility in Virginia, 36miles outside of Washington. Then after graduating from Quantico at the top of their class they were assigned to attend 8months special training at Fort Kelham – A training facility for the 51st Rangers and special Ops Forces. Due to their knowledge of one another, survival skills and their advanced degrees in behavioural science, criminology, sociology and conflict resolution they were assigned as partners. With their unique abilities they were immediately sent out on undercover assignments together. Leon had to admit, Jay had been there for him since the beginning.
Not knowing what Leon was thinking and feeling enough time had passed for his question to be answered Jay said ‘Are you going to give me an answer or what?’
The tone in Jay’s voice broke through Leon’s thoughts like a stone through glass, - The exact thing needed to bring his mind back to the present moment. Looking over at his friend Leon realised the look of worry that was on Jay’s face had long gone and was now replaced with agitation.
Leon lowered his head, so his chin was resting on his chest and then heaved a sigh.
‘Aight, aight…’ He said finally. Looking directly into Jay’s eyes Leon cleared his throat and then said, ‘Here goes - I want out.’
‘What… !’ Jay exclaimed – much louder than Leon would have liked. ‘. . . What d’ya mean you want out?’
‘I mean, I can’t do this anymore. I’m losing it! The lies, Kerry, the Chief coming to my house, trying to blow my cover,’ Leon paused to make sure Jay was still with him then said ‘And don’t get me started on how I have to see that fuckers face every day and not put my hands round his neck and squeeze the life out of him. There’s no doubt he was the one who killed my father.’
Jay stopped Leon in is tracks by raising his hand. ‘Whoa! I’m sorry dawg,’ He said casually. ‘. . . I know that’s your father n’all, but what do you care? You know as well as I do your ole’ man was a cold hearted killer.’
Nathan felt a twinge of resentment towards Jay at hearing that. While Jay was right in what he said, Leon thought his friend would have had some sort of consideration. That was his father after all.
‘Dude, I know the day you got the required clearance; you read the files the Agency had on your father. Come on, you know about the Detroit massacre; all the families he killed from New York all the way down to Miami. No wonder your mother did what she did and went into hiding.’
‘Fuck You D!’ Leon retorted.
Friend or no friend, - that statement went a little too far.
‘Fuck Me… ?’ Jay said with a chuckle. ‘Dude I’m not sure what your problem is, but if you’re worried your something like him then don’t be, because you’re not. You spent the last twenty-seven years being the best person you could be. That’s the whole reason we got into this gig. So we could put killers and mother-fuckers like him and Black behind bars.’
Leon hands formed into fists on the table and his right leg started to bob up and down. Hearing Black’s name caused Leon’s blood to boil and there was no way of hiding it. Wanting to get to the bottom of what was really bothering his friend Jay asked ‘What else is going on Nate?’
Leon let out another deep sigh and then sa
id, ‘Last night, when I was in Black’s office, I let things get the better of me…’
Jay’s eyes narrowed in anticipation of what Leon was about to say.
‘The long and short of it is - dude had me cold.’
‘What? Are you serious… ?’ Jay shouted
‘Yo, keep it down.’ Leon said quietly.
Jay’s immediate concern vanished and was now substituted with anger. Just like a mother who finally finds her child after a full 2 hour gut wrenching search in a shopping mall, only to turn around and beat the child for walking off in the first place.
‘See what I’m saying dawg…’ Jay exclaimed. ‘. . . Why didn’t you have me come with you?’
Leon did not answer as he knew the question was rhetorical. His friend was just trying to make a point.
Jay looked away from Leon and focused his gaze onto a painting on the opposite wall and as if talking to himself said, ‘So you’re telling me that right now you should be floating around somewhere in the Keys?’
Again, realising Jay was not actually asking him a question Leon just nodded his head slowly.
Turning his attention back to Leon Jay said ‘we’re gonna get him.’ in a reassuring tone.
Leon did not reply, just stared into blank space. Jay was not impressed at Leon’s unwillingness to at least try to talk about it and with that he threw up his hands in exasperation.
‘Aight man, I give up. You win,’ He said. ‘I’ve tried but I can see it doesn’t matter. So let’s just call this quits.’
Jay started to rise from his seat.
‘I’ll let you call the Chief to let him know you’re done ok.’
Leon finally caved in. ‘I Love her.’ He exclaimed.
Jay paused for a moment, looked at Leon to see if he was being serious then returned to his seated position.
‘Ok. And?’ he replied.
Leon started to shake his head.
‘Hold up, what?!’ Jay exclaimed. Realising he may have answered a little too quickly.
The Desert Lion's True Colours Page 4