Last Laugh

by Rahiem Brooks

  An older woman got out of the car right in front of the agents and shot Agent Walls in the face. He collapsed to the ground as Agent Peterson reached for his gun.

  He was late.

  Two shots came through the windshield and pierced his chest and face.

  Fuck a sharp shooter, Dre thought. “This is real, Mack,” he said and sat his gun on his lap.

  The woman walked over to the driver’s side door of the marshal’s sedan, opened it and pulled the agent out of the seat. When the agent hit the ground, the woman searched his pockets and took his wallet and cell phone. She then kicked the agent to the side, hopped in the car, put it in drive, and took off.

  “What the fuck is up with that?” Dre said looking on as the marshal’s sedan pull off.

  “I don’t know,” Mack replied, “But what the fuck are you going to do?”

  * * *

  “Agent McKenzey?” Kareem knew it was him. He panicked.

  “The one and only. Finally, we meet again.” McKenzey grinned. He weaved around the car accident that he created in front of him and sped into the I-95 traffic. “I am kidnapping you by the way. Sit back and enjoy the ride.”

  40

  PHILADELPHIA FBI HEADQUARTERS

  Within twenty minutes of getting the call that Kareem had been taken, Ravonne stormed into the FBI office. He was ushered to an interrogation room by a receptionist but did not enter the room. “I am not a suspect, or under arrest. I will wait for an agent in the lobby, not an interrogation room. You’ve got to be kidding me,” he said and pulled out his cell phone.

  “I am just following orders. They asked me to send you here,” the receptionist said, and then sucked her teeth. She didn’t like his attitude and was on the verge of cursing at him like a common criminal.

  “Well, that’s too bad.” Ravonne was receiving a text, and he looked at his phone as he walked back toward the lobby of the FBI. Darryl was walking through security. “You have no idea how happy I am to see you. I don’t think that I’ve ever wanted to say that to a prosecutor. My client has been kidnapped, and as we speak pics of the kidnapper is coming through my cell phone.”

  “Interesting,” the United States Attorney said. “Who is sending you that kind of sensitive data?” He didn’t believe Ravonne, but wanted to hear what he had to say. He knew that Kareem had been kidnapped and that was why he was summoned to the FBI office.

  “Andre Bezel. Apparently, he was there when the kidnapping occurred.” Ravonne didn’t mean to say all of that and wanted to recant his statement.

  “That’s bizarre,” Darryl said and smirked. You silly, man. “I am here to meet an undercover to discuss Andre’s plot to kidnap his brother, along with the murder of a witness. So, it’s very weird that he would send pics of his brother’s kidnapping when we have intelligence suggesting that he was the perp.”

  Ravonne scratched his head and furrowed his brow. “I don’t know anything about that. What I do know is that Kareem Bezel needs the same FBI attention to be found, just like anyone else.”

  “Okay, I’ll see if we can both be briefed. Well, I will see if I can bring you into the room where they are convened to capture Kareem’s kidnapper and find the people responsible for killing the marshals. I don’t know if they’d like you being there. But I can try, Ravonne.”

  “I don’t give a damn about any government red tape right now. My client has been kidnapped, and I am here to demand that a manhunt take place to find him, otherwise it may not. Besides, I am a defender of the law and I have intelligence that may help them.” Ravonne winked to punctuate his comment.

  “There is a manhunt, alright,” Special Agent Dolly Patterson said as she walked through a set of double doors. “And your clients are who we are looking for. They killed two marshals in their little fake kidnapping, and trust me they are going down.” She felt powerful dressed in a cheap suit with her DEA badge around her neck.

  “Come on,” Ravonne said and grinned. “You’re kidding right? My client was set to be released today; ergo, there was no need for him to have himself kidnapped. That is a piece of your theory that needs to be erased. I talked to Kareem Bezel this morning and informed him of his release on bail, so this is just not the work of the brothers.” He held onto the fact that he had pictures, because that was his card to play to exchange information and to be kept abreast of all the things that they find out.

  Agent Dolly looked at the prosecutor to get confirmation of the counselor’s position. She had her hand on her hip and looked pissed. “We believe that Andre Bezel killed our DEA sister, Yolanda Monroe in the parking lot of a Camden projects.”

  “It’s true,” Darryl said and threw his hands over his face. “We have a hearing scheduled at four in the judge’s chambers to formally file a joint motion to withdraw prosecution. I wouldn’t be able to cosign that the brothers did the kidnapping and I don’t know anything about the agent being killed, so I cannot comment about that.”

  “So, who the hell kidnapped Bezel?” Dolly asked. She was a sassy white woman that could blend in on any corner in any ghetto.

  “McKenzey,” Ravonne and Darryl said in unison.

  “Wow, for the first time, you two agree on something,” Dolly said and turned around. “Let’s get inside. There is a task force being put together and it seems you two know more than us for a change.”

  41

  JEAN MARY’S & FAMILY

  INTERSTATE 76

  Jean-Mary had the entire gang in a limo and they headed down I-76. She had both of her grandsons’ women and their sons with her. After years of dealing with the brothers’ criminal behavior she was prepared to get away from police scrutiny quickly. When Andre informed her that Kareem had been kidnapped and that he had the drop on the kidnapper, he assured her that she should rally the troops and head somewhere and blend in.

  “Grandmom, where are we going?” Amir asked, and hopped on her lap.

  “Yes, where to?” Tasha asked with a little sarcasm in her voice. She had had enough of being in a relationship with Andre and after this event blew over, she planned to move away and out of her apartment. She couldn’t take this lifestyle any longer. She thought the separation would be enough, but apparently, it wasn’t.

  Jean-Mary pulled out her iPad and smiled. She pulled up her US Airways app and showed that she had bought flights for all of them.

  “Oh my,” Toi said. “Orlando?” She sat in her seat smiling from ear to ear. She loved Jean-Mary and Kareem. Despite his criminal trials and problems she was there when he committed the crimes and helped spend the money, so she didn’t plan on leaving him when he was down.

  “Yes, Orlando,” Jean-Mary said and playfully tapped Amir with the iPad. “A family trip. We need it.” The two boys smiled but had no idea what they were in for. She opened her arms and they both climbed next to her. She held them tightly, and then said, “We are going to Disney World.”

  That caught their attention and they cheered for joy.

  “Settle down now,” Jean-Mary said, “you’re rocking the limo, and I am sure the driver doesn’t want to hear all of that news.

  She looked at Tasha and Toi. “I know this is a pain in the ass, but this will be the end of it. If either of you don’t want to go, I wouldn’t blame you, as this has been a rough beginning you two have had dealing with my boys. I can tell you this, though. They love both of you. You all will have fights and problems, but love conquers all. Don’t you young ladies forget that. Let’s enjoy Orlando, and allow what is about to take place in Philadelphia happen. We just can’t focus on that, and they assured me that we are to go and have a great time, without worrying about them.”

  “From what I know from Dre, this will follow us there by way of the news,” Tasha said. She was polite, but seemed irritated. “He already told me that he has been recording many things for the news.”

  “News?” Jean-Mary said, “You worried about the news.” She loved Tasha, but she was aggravating her. She knew her boys and they would
do anything to protect themselves and their families.

  “We can block the news and trash our cell phones,” Toi suggested. She was prepared to do what she had to do to make everything work.

  “There you go,” Amir said and smiled.

  “What I tell you about being in grown folks business,” Jean-Mary said and gave him a stern stare. “We will be at the airport in two hours, and then off to Orlando.”

  “Two hours?” Tasha asked. She knew that the airport was only 20 minutes from Center City Philadelphia.

  “It’s not that much traffic,” Toi said.

  “You’re both right,” Jean-Mary said. “However, we are flying from BWI outside Baltimore. You two didn’t think I’d make it easy for them to stop us did you,” she said and smiled.

  Tasha and Toi grinned and Jean-Mary opened her arms for a group hug.

  “We’re some strong woman and we will get through this. Just trust them. Have faith in them.”

  42

  ABANDONED WAREHOUSE,

  CLIFTON HEIGHTS, PENNSYLVANIA

  McKenzey drove down a long dirt road and stopped outside of an abandoned warehouse. He was in Clifton Heights, Pennsylvania, a neat rural area right outside of Philadelphia. He opened the car door, and told his prisoner, “We’re here. Just like old times, I have the suspect in the back of my car in cuffs. Sit tight,” McKenzey said and chuckled.

  He stepped out of the car and walked over to the building. He pulled out a set of keys, grabbed a pad lock and unlocked it. He pushed hard on the door, and dust flew out as it opened.

  Kareem sat in the back seat and for the first time, he was truly frightened. Life as he knew it had ended the moment McKenzey hopped into the driver’s seat and took him for a ride. What the hell is this idiot up to? I pray to God that Andre got the drop on this fool. I do not want to die, he thought as McKenzey hopped back into the car.

  “Here’s the deal. I am going to take you out of this car and into the warehouse. I don’t plan on hurting you, but that could change, and I am sure you’re smart enough to know how.” McKenzey gave Kareem the benefit of the doubt and didn’t question his intelligence.

  Kareem didn’t reply. He just looked deep into McKenzey’s eyes. He was lost. “Why are we here?”

  “Awe, you want to chat,” McKenzey asked mockingly. “Fine. As soon as we get into the warehouse we can chit chat all you want.”

  McKenzey got out of the car and opened the back door. Kareem turned his body around and planted his feet on the dirt, as McKenzey grabbed his arm to lift him out of the car. Kareem kicked McKenzey in the groin, regained his balance and then kicked him in the knee. McKenzey fell to the ground and groaned. He didn’t yell, but he winced in pain and Kareem tried to kick him again.

  “Kill me, mutha fucka,” Kareem said looking at McKenzey who had a gun pointed at him.

  “Kill you? Nope,” McKenzey said and shot Kareem in both knee caps. “Kick me now, bitch.”

  * * *

  Ten minutes later, Kareem was laid out on the floor of the warehouse. He had duct tape covering the holes in his knees and his mouth. He also remained handcuffed to the back and could barely keep his eyes open. He drifted in and out of consciousness. All of the dust had his allergies in an uproar, and the pain in his knees would not quit. He wasn’t losing blood, but he knew that his knees would be affected and he may not be able to walk again. He laid there hopeful that his big brother would rescue him.

  “Oh nooo, you’re in pain, huh?” McKenzey asked and sipped black coffee directly from the coffee pot.

  “What the fuck do you want with me? You were gone. Free. I was in jail and not bothering you. What do you want, man? What?” Kareem was beyond aggravated. He was pissed that he was in this predicament, but even more hurt at the fact that if not for his brother selling drugs to a corrupt DEA Agent he would not be in this predicament. All I wanted to do was go to college and make money for my family. How the hell did I get here?

  “I want your blood, boo boo,” McKenzey laughed. He loved to mentally attack people and Kareem was in for a treat. He owed him a lot of aggravation for all that he endured while on the run. “I am prepared to make your life miserable.”

  “Good luck with that.” Kareem had nothing in the world on his mind, but death. He simply wanted to maintain enough mettle to endure all that McKenzey threw his way until he killed him. “Fuck you, and my life.”

  “Not yet. I am not going to fuck you or your life, yet,” McKenzey swirled around in a circle. “For now, I want to have a heart to heart with you. Can we do that? Start by telling me, prior to my arrest you had me followed and recorded, and a lot of your material was used to have me arrested. What made you do that? How’d you get the drop on me? I mean, I am a federal agent with more military experience than you have on this Earth.”

  “Come on, McKenzey. Why does this matter? You were freed by someone, and yet you’re back. I mean you came back for me. Why? How about you answer that for yourself first.”

  McKenzey walked over to Kareem and stood over top of him. He didn’t do a thing, but stand there in an effort to mentally torment his victim. McKenzey wanted the young man to worry about what was going to happen to him.

  After 70 seconds of standing there, McKenzey poured his hot coffee on Kareem. “I have had enough of your smart ass mouth. I am asking the fucking questions. You got that?” McKenzey stood over top of Kareem and smiled. He did not get a reply, so he kneeled down and got very close to Kareem’s face, and asked, “Do you got that?” Kareem shook his head up and down, and then McKenzey pinched his cheek like a grandmother does a grandson on Christmas. “Good boy. Now why did you have me followed?”

  Tears streamed down Kareem’s face, as he stared at the agent. He laid flat out and rolled over as the tears of anger rained down his face. He wanted to reverse the roles, only he would have been doing McKenzey much worse. “Why are you doing this to me? I don’t want to do this. Please torture me and take me out of here. I do not care, man. I don’t want to talk. I am tired and just ready to go. This life of mine is over, so please just end it ‘cause I really just don’t have time for this.”

  McKenzey kicked Kareem’s rib cage. “Awe, the little baby wants the easy way out,” McKenzey smiled. “It ain’t happening. You’ll have time for whatever, I ask or tell you to do. I want to get inside your head. I see that I am now, though. You’re helpless and giving up. Not even trying to trick me into freeing you. You didn’t even try to bribe me. You’ve gotten weak, Kareem.” McKenzey kicked him again. “Bitch.”

  Kareem groaned and rolled again. The pain was overwhelming. He saw, McKenzey raising his foot, and then said, “No, I am tired. I didn’t choose this shit. It was forced on me. You’re involvement with my brother led me to you. There, you got it. I was following him one day just to see what he was up to because he was hanging out a lot and disrespecting my mom. I saw you give the white boy money in the King of Prussia Mall parking lot, and then he gave the money to my brother. I thought you two were just using my brother to cop drugs for you in Philly for cheap using my dad’s name, but you turned out to be a cop. I thought you were just some red neck...” Kareem stopped talking and realized that he was disrespecting his captor by telling the truth. What the hell am I doing here?

  “Look at you,” McKenzey said and laughed. He was such an asshole. He laughed very hard. A cynical mocking laugh. “Looking out for your brother has your two knee caps blown out, and has had you in jail a few months. I bet you regret that?”

  “I don’t.” Kareem shot back quickly. He didn’t want the agent to think that he was winning in no way. “That’s my older brother. There are no words to express what I would do for him and to protect him. If you had siblings you’d understand.”

  “I get that, but it sucks to be you at this precise moment. I am going to take care of business with him, too, by the way. Don’t think for one second that he is not going to face a worse fate than you.”

  “Good, bitch. I don’t give a fuck.”
Kareem was getting back to being angry. He just didn’t care about anything.

  “Oh, you will. But don’t worry. I am going to send your girlfriend, son, and beloved grandmother to heaven to be with you. Dre is on his way to hell.” McKenzey was sitting in a chair and patting his feet while staring in the air. It was as if he was imagining all of Kareem’s family dead.

  Kareem just shook his head. Bro where the hell are you at? I know you followed this demon here. I got this mad man on the ground and you didn’t pop out. Dre where are you?

  “Don’t give me that head shake bullshit. You know I am not playing and as usual, I am going to outsmart the feds. Speaking of the feds, I have to give them a call. Certainly, they’re waiting on your kidnapper to call with some requests. Would you like something, sir?” McKenzey asked and laughed again. “Food? How about a last meal?”

  “No food, but, how about a gun to blow ya fucking brains out, dick head.”

  McKenzey took his gun from his waistband and slide it over toward Kareem. It stopped right at his face.

  “There you go,” McKenzey said, “Aim to kill.” He chuckled, pulled out another throw away cell phone and made a call.

  43

  CLIFTON HEIGHTS, PENNSYLVANIA

  Andre and Mack were parked at the top of a long, winding dirt road. The quiet rural area was devoid of any traffic and they really had no idea what to do. They knew that Kareem was down that road with a lunatic that may have traps and all sorts of alarming devices along the dirt road, and they didn’t want to traipse down it without doing some reconnaissance.

  “There is no way that he is down there and going to make it simple to capture him and get Kareem back. We gotta think...”

  Mack replied, “True, but we cannot sit here. What if he comes back out? There’s no traffic. We have to get out of here.”

  “I am not leaving my brother here, Mack. Fuck dat. I’ll move the car, but I will sit over there and blend in with the bushes. You don’t know this mutha fucka, McKenzey. He made a white boy drink cat’s blood while he wore pink panties. We gotta move swiftly, because this is a weirdo and I don’t want him to do anything to my brother.”