The War Report

by King Benjamin

  “Damn.” Jay said, even more impressed than he already was.

  “What, you trying to get to know her or something?” Dawson inquired.

  “Yeah, something like that.”

  “Well dig this, playboy, you in luck. It’s a fundraiser coming up on Saturday. I already got some extra tickets on deck. It’s some community revitalization type of shit, but it’s a black tie affair. Channel Six is covering the event, so nine times out of ten Michelle will be there.”

  “You say Saturday, huh?”

  “Yeah, you rolling? All you need is a tux.”

  Jay didn’t have to think it over long. He didn’t have anything to lose by showing up at a fund raiser he cared nothing about. He was pretty sure Dawson didn’t either.

  “Yeah,” he said, nodding his head with purpose. “Yeah I’m in that bitch.”

  Chapter 7

  Jay and Dawson arrived at the hotel where the fundraiser for the rebirth of Detroit’s Centerline area was being held in a stretch Mercedes Benz limousine. Dawson had a date and his sidekick/bodyguard along with him, while Jay flew solo. They stepped out right in front of the entrance and were immediately greeted by some professionals Dawson knew through his father as they blended into the crowd headed inside.

  Dawson rocked a Gucci suit with diamond cufflinks to match his iced out pinky ring. Jay looked suave in his three piece Tom Ford suit and matching loafers. The flooded Presidential Rolex beamed with every twist and turn his arm made. He was a businessman himself, so he quickly became comfortable in the environment populated with entrepreneurs and wealthy politicians.

  He moved about with a bold confidence, and tried not to scan the room for Michelle. If she was there, he hoped she would notice him first. After all, he thought he had left a pretty good impression on her. As the time passed, Jay stood with Dawson getting acquainted with some of the most powerful people in the city of Detroit. He met the Mayor, the Chief of Police, and a few members of the NAACP, introducing himself as an entrepreneur who owned a chain of record stores, which was in fact true.

  Deciding to break away from his crutch and do a little mingling on his own before dinner, he ran into the Channel Six sports reporter, who he always thought was pretty cool. They were having a great conversation about the future of the Detroit Lions when Jay felt someone tap him on his shoulder. He turned to see a woman wearing a peach high-low gown and gold necklace with a diamond encrusted heart.

  “Excuse me, have we met? You look very familiar.”

  He studied her face then quickly remembered she was with Michelle the day they met at Heaven on Earth.”

  “I think we met at Heaven or Earth. You were with Michelle Mitchell,” he said, getting excited inside as he hung on her next words.

  “Oh yes, that’s it. What are you doing here?”

  “I’m actually here with the Mayor’s son,” he stated proudly.

  “Wow, what a small world. Wait… I don’t want to break up your conversation, but I need you to come with me for a second.” she insisted.

  Jay played it cool as a cucumber as if he didn’t know what to expect, but his fingers were crossed as she led him across the ballroom floor where he quickly locked eyes with Michelle Mitchell mingling with her coworkers. She was wearing a turquoise bustier gown that flared out at the bottom, with off white oval earrings and matching pearls. Her spiral curls hung past her shoulders as she tossed her head back in laughter, gripping her clutch purse with both hands. She was so stunning, it almost took Jay off his A game, but then his ego stepped in and took over.

  “Look who I found mingling in the crowd,” Leslie said with a colossal grin plastered across her face.

  “So we meet again,” Jay said stepping up to bat.

  “Oh yeah, from the restaurant right?” Michelle said smiling and enjoying his presence.

  “Yeah, I came out to support, you dig. Anything I can do to help better Detroit, I’m all for it. But you’re looking beautiful as always.”

  “Well thank you, you’re not too shabby yourself. Tell me your name again.”

  “It’s Jason, my friends call me Jay.”

  “Okay, I will remember this time, Jay. Can I call you Jay?”

  “Only if that’s means we’re friends,” he shot back with a grin.

  “Well… you seem friendly enough,” she flirted.

  Jay laughed, enjoying every moment. “You know my homeboy, Dawson? The mayor’s son?” he asked, trying to make sure Dawson was giving him the whole story.

  “Oh yeah, we’ve met a few times,” Michelle cooperated. “He’s a friend of yours?”

  “I wouldn’t say friend.”

  “What would you say?” she shot back.

  “I’d say homeboy again.”

  “I heard he was a bad boy,” Leslie finally commented.

  “I wouldn’t know. He’s always been a perfect gentleman with me,” Jay joked, getting a good hardy laugh from the girls.”

  “Well, you two stay here. I’m gonna work the room a little longer and finish showing off this dress,” Leslie said before darting off and leaving the two of them alone.

  “You know, I’ve thought about you a couple times since the day we met at the restaurant.”

  “Yeah?” Michelle said with a slight grin.

  “I heard what you said about needing some time for yourself, and I can respect that. I just wanna make a connection, and hopefully you’ll keep me in mind when things are clearer for you.”

  “Connection?”

  “Connection as in line of communication and door that’s cracked open instead of shut and locked with the deadbolt on it, you dig?”

  “Where did you see a deadbolt now? Don’t be dramatic,” she teased.

  “I’m just saying.”

  “No, I hear what you saying and… it doesn’t sound like the worst idea I’ve ever heard.”

  “Wow, that’s all I get, huh?” Jay said and chuckled. From the looks of things, she really was going to make him work.”

  “I don’t know. What did you do before you went into the retail record business?” she pried further.

  “I’ve tried a lot of stuff. Real estate, landscaping. Music just seemed to be the easiest and most successful,” Jay shot back without hesitation. He could easily give her a totally legit background of his life because he’d always been trying to start up legitimate businesses since the age of twenty one. He knew he if he told her the truth, she’d run for the border, so he kept his life on the streets under the covers for now.

  “Well, I’m glad you found your niche,” Michelle said as she went back and forth with herself about the man standing in front of her. Yes, he is attractive, and yeah he could hold my attention in a conversation. But, is this the right time to entertain the thought of someone new? She kept thinking. And who the hell walks around saying ‘you dig’ all the time?

  Waiters moved about with champagne and hors d’oeuvres, which included deviled eggs, oysters, and ham rolls stuffed with blue cheese. Michelle wasn’t big on finger food, but she needed something to put in her mouth and chew on while she decided what to do.

  “I’ll take one of those,” she said, going for the deviled eggs before the waiter got too far.

  “You want a glass of champagne?” Jay asked as he reached out to grab one for himself.

  “No thanks, I don’t drink.”

  “Not even on birthdays?”

  Michelle giggled. “Sometimes… I guess it depends on the birthday.

  “Well, I’m not too big on drinking myself, but times like this, it seems like a glass of champagne just sets the tone for the night.”

  Michelle grabbed some grape juice from another waiter, while Jay sipped slowly on his champagne and continued to engage her in conversation that not only kept her interest, but took her mind off her indecisiveness. She told him a little more about herself, and Jay opened up more as well. There was still a dinner to come, and a performance by a local celebrity R&B singer.

  When Leslie came back
to them, Jay felt he had solidified himself as date worthy, and he was comfortable leaving the ball in her court. He also knew he had a friend in Leslie to help him seal the deal.

  “Well… been a pleasure getting a chance to chat with you again. I don’t want to seem pushy, so I’m gonna go catch up with my crowd and let you ladies enjoy the rest of your evening,” Jay said before turning to make his exit.

  “Your card,” he heard Michelle say.

  “Excuse me?” Jay was not sure what was said.

  “I think I misplaced the business card you gave me.”

  “Well, let’s just make sure you have one in your possession before we go our separate ways.”

  Jay went in his wallet and pulled out a business card then handed it to her for the second time. She better be worth all this damn trouble, he thought to himself.

  “Thank you, enjoy your night,” Michelle said, blushing a little.

  Michelle and Leslie stood side but side and remained quiet until Jay was out of ear reach.

  “You can thank me later,” Leslie finally said.

  “Oh shut up,” Michelle shot back.

  Chapter 8

  At the end of the night, Jay was driven back to his east side store location where his car was parked. Gunner and Bake had keys to the building and Gunner had let everyone into the office so they could all do money drops and re-ups if necessary. Everyone was there except Bake. When Jay came in, Gunner and E were engaged in a dice game, with Detroit rap legend, Blade Icewood, playing at low volume on the stereo.

  “Damn ,nigga, you look like you just came from the muthafucking Oscars or something,” Lines commented as Jay came in.

  “Don’t get it twisted. I’m still a killa, muthafucka,” Jay joked.

  As he surveyed the room, he had a strange thought. He wondered which one of his friends would he feel comfortable introducing to a girl like Michelle. Maybe E and Gunner, since she’d already seen them and they could conduct themselves in public for the most part. But Bake? Probably not. J-Rock? No. Lines? Fuck no!

  If there was even a hint of him being a hustler, he was sure Michelle would run like water from a busted sink pipe.

  “I know where you been.” Gunner said, shaking the dice with a smirk. “How did it work out for ya?”

  “I don’t know yet, dog. She was there and I hit with everything but the muthafucking kitchen sink.”

  “You set up a date?”

  “Naw, she asked for my card again though, so we’ll see. Anyway, mind yo business before I call Kelly and tell her you in here gambling.”

  “Nigga, you know my wife don’t run me,” Gunner shot back as E shook the dice.

  “Right now, you ain’t gotta worry about wifey running them pockets, you gotta worry about me,” E said right before tossing the dice up against the wall.

  “I need some drugs, Jay. Let me get what I gotta get so I can go hit the street,” J-Rock said as he tossed Jay a bag full of Money.

  “How much is this?” Jay asked.

  “That’s nineteen, it’s all there.”

  Jay opened the brown paper bag and peeked in, but didn’t bother counting it in front of J-Rock. He would count later on before he stashed it in the re-up count.

  “Damn J-Rock, you ain’t playing no games out here.”

  “Hell naw, ain’t got time to play. Too much money to be made.”

  Jay was proud to see his little homey catching on to the grind and making his way. It wouldn’t be long before he’d be riding foreign and buying property like his counterparts. Jay took the money, stashed it in a temporary hiding spot, and came back with a whole brick of cocaine wrapped in a shopping bag.

  “Be careful nigga,” Jay said.

  “Always. I’m going out the back. Somebody lock the door.”

  Jay let him out the back door, and when he turned around, Lines was standing there with the stupidest look on his face holding a bag with a drawstring on it.

  “I’m a little short, man,” Lines said.

  “How short?”

  “This fifty three,” Lines said looking pitiful.

  Lines owed Jay fifty-seven thousand dollars for three kilos. He was four grand short. Jay knew why he was doing this. Lines thought that because it was him who made the Cali connection Jay was about to get, he was entitled to a little more than everyone else. He had met the connect on a coke binge out in LA a few months back. He felt that this connect would be a major come up for everyone. In a way, he was right, but Jay felt that he went about it the wrong way. Jay didn’t say a word, he just took the cash and went to put it in the temporary hiding spot.

  All of a sudden, shots rang out from right outside the store, causing everyone inside to drop to the ground and draw their weapons. After five shots, there was silence. Jay wasn’t armed, but as soon as he got to his feet he went to his desk, pulled out the Glock 33 and ran out to check on everybody.

  “Man, what the fuck is going on?” Gunner said, steaming mad that someone had enough balls to buss shots that close to their turf.

  Lines was already halfway out the back door with his gun in hand. Jay followed close behind him while Gunner and E checked the front entrance. When Jay and Lines got out back, they made their way to the front of the building. From there, they could see J-Rock’s jeep had jumped the curb and crashed into the cemetery gate.

  “Aww, fuck!” Jay screamed as he and Lines took off running down the street with guns out for the world to see. By the time they reached the main street, they could see E and Gunner jumping in their cars to pull down to what would soon be a crime scene.

  Running in loafers, Jay blew past Lines and made it to J-Rock’s driver seat. He was hoping J-Rock wasn’t inside and had made it out on foot, but when he peeked in, all he saw as his friend stretched out from the driver to the passenger side, slumped over with a hole in the side of his head.

  “Is it bad?” Lines asked before he made it to the jeep. He didn’t want to look for himself.

  “Go get your truck. Tell E to back up and drop you off to your truck. We gotta take him to the hospital.”

  Thinking on his feet, Jay knew how much damage they could do moving a wounded man, so he wanted to make the transition easy as possible.

  E was just pulling up and Lines hopped in the car with him. Gunner was out of his car now, trying to get some type of response from J-Rock.

  “J-Rock, if you hear me, baby, just hold on. Fight for your life, my nigga, just hold on. We got you, baby, we got you.”

  “Fuck man, hurry up!” Jay shouted, waving at E, who was driving as fast as humanly possible.

  E drove in reverse back to Lines’ truck then followed Lines back to where J-Rock lay bleeding. Lines jumped out, flung the back door open and held it.

  “Come on, Jay,” Gunner said as Lines looked on.

  The two of them attempted to pull J-Rock’s limp bloody body from the jeep. Gunner dragged him out by the torso and then Jay grabbed his legs and helped get him into the suburban. There were no signs of life, but Gunner still tried to coach J-Rock to fight.

  “E, get that dope out the jeep,” Jay said as they stabbed off toward the nearest hospital.

  Lines drove at extreme speeds, running every stop sign and red light he came across. J-Rock’s body shifted in the backseat as the truck ran over potholes.

  “Who did this shit?” Jay said, thinking aloud as they pulled into the Detroit Receiving Hospital emergency entrance.

  Lines was first out the truck before it had completely stopped. He ran through the electric doors and into the lobby.

  “Aye, can we get some help out here? My friend just got shot.”

  “Where is he?” a man in hospital whites asked.

  “Right out front,” Lines responded with panic in his voice.

  The man signaled to some people, while Lines explained the situation. Less than minute later, they came back with a stretcher and headed out to the truck.

  As Lines and Jay tried to assist the male nurse in getting Lines o
n the stretcher, Jay became more engrossed in his own thoughts by the second. By now, he had realized that J-Rock was gone. His Tom Ford vest was covered in too much blood. The hole in his head was too big. No one could survive a wound like that.

  __________

  “Jay, what the fuck happened?” Niecey Girl shouted as Jay and Gunner walked in covered in blood, with Lines close behind.

  “J-Rock got shot,” he said as he moved past her and went to the end table and picked up her house phone.

  “Oh my God!” she squealed.

  As he began to dial a number, he stopped and slammed the phone back down.

  “Niecey Girl, can you call his mother? I can’t do that shit right now, but she needs to know.”

  “What do I say? Is he gonna make it? Is he okay?”

  “It don’t look good. It don’t look good at all,” Jay confessed.

  Just then, there was a knock at the door.

  “That’s probably Bake and E,” Gunner said as they all took a seat in the living room while Jay answered the door.

  Bake and E came through the door brandishing AK 47s with doubled up banana clips duct taped together. Niecey Girl didn’t say a word. She knew if J-Rock died, it would be a lot of this behavior going on for a while.

  “We got a real problem,” E said as he set the Chopper on the table and Bake stood his up in the corner with the barrel to the floor.

  He went in his back pocket, pulled out a brown paper bag and dumped the contents on the table. It was all kinds of animal bones. Rib bones, chicken bones, fish bones, you name it. “I found this in the car with J-Rock. I thought it was some money or work, that’s the only reason I grabbed it. Somebody tossed this in the car with him after they shot him.”

  “I don’t get it,” Lines said confused.

  “You saying Bones did this?” Gunner quickly assumed.

  “Think about it, who we got beef with?” E said.

  Jay just sat on the sofa with his head in the palm of his hand. Last thing he’d heard about Bones was that he was serving twelve years for a murder in Ohio. Now, he was somehow still able to reach out and touch a member of his crew? He took a deep breath.