The Corner III (No Way Out) (29 page)

Boom,boom, boom!
Bone’s body flew back into the street. The three slugs hit him in his chest. Then Chavez walked to Bone’s lifeless body and put the last two rounds of the powerful handgun into his face so there was no way he could have an open casket funeral.

With police sirens nearing, a Chevy Malibu came to a screeching halt, and Chavez got in the stolen vehicle that was driven by Rafael. Across the street walking away from the scene was Big Sam. He had a smile on his face as he dialed his cell thinking about the clout he was going to have on the streets being a lieutenant for Reynard. Big Sam was tired of the Bone regime since he wasn’t willing to move him up in the ranks. Big Sam had done dirt for Bone’s crew. He’d slumped many men and earned much money which Bone was socking away for himself, so when Reynard promised him a spot as a lieutenant, he knew his appetite was about to be fed.

Big Sam shut the door to his old school Impala and started the V8 engine as the person on the other end of the phone answered the phone. “Yeah.”

“It’s done, my guy,” Big Sam said as he watched the first and then the second Chicago PD patrol car show up on the scene.

“Positive?” Reynard asked. He needed to know for sure before he made his next move.

Big Sam drove past a patrolman who was talking into his portable radio as he used his other hand to check Bone’s vital signs. “Deader than a motherfucker,” Sam told his boss.

“I’ll get with you tomorrow. You did good, my nigga. Or should I say lieutenant?”

“Bet,” was all Big Sam said, then turned the volume up on a cut by Drake.

*     *     *

LaTanza loved the way the eighty-nine degree heat felt as she stepped out of the shuttle bus and walked toward her hotel. Fernando and Liza were by her side and when they reached the front desk of the luxury hotel, Fernando took care of the reservation. The three of them had separate rooms, and they were adjoining rooms on the top floor. LaTanza was in Mexico to meet with Chacho to iron out the details of their deal. She was hoping that Chacho would show her the same love that he showed Villarreal which was as many kilos as he could move. LaTanza had things set up in all the states in the Midwest. The money their family would bring in would be astronomical, and she was ready to reach for the stars.

LaTanza was happy to be in her room. She stretched out on the bed and thought about taking a nap before meeting with Chacho. That was interrupted with a knock on the door—Fernando. LaTanza let her bodyguard in, and he gave her the news she was looking for, Chavez had killed Bone. He was no longer the leader of the BDs. It was now Reynard, and LaTanza controlled Reynard.

LaTanza managed to take a nap, and night was falling in Cozumel, the east coast island of Mexico. LaTanza and Liza were sitting in the lobby of the hotel waiting for Chacho when one of his men appeared before them stating he had a boat at the edge of the pier to take them to Chacho’s yatch that was sitting in the crystal clear waters two miles off the western coast.  Chacho had told LaTanza he didn’t want Fernando coming with her. It was okay for Liza, but he didn’t want the male on his yatch. LaTanza didn’t care as long as they ironed out a deal that she was comfortable with. She also knew the kingpin was going to try to sleep with her, but she wanted no part of it—that is unless it would seal the deal.

*     *     *

Slim and Trish were at Lucky’s house along with everyone else who was at the fight the night before. Miss Joplin had cooked a meal that consisted of southern fried chicken, beans and rice, rib tips, fried corn, greens and more. Of course, there was plenty to drink, non-alcoholic and alcoholic. Music played and everyone was mingling and among all the men was the buzz of the way Jamel had knocked the man out before. Everyone was waiting for Jamel and Lucky to show. They had some business to take care of downtown at the office of a well-known promoter, and it was taking longer than expected.

The basement was huge and had an open floor plan. The floor was tan bamboo linoleum throughout with expensive rugs in several places. The walls were white and covered with various art and portraits. The bar was on the opposite end of the basement, and that area was a bit more like a sports bar. Poster art and jerseys of various athletes, some signed, were hanging on the walls. An eighty-inch television was in that area as well, and that’s where most of the men were. They were downing beers and shooting the shit about the Bears, Bulls and other teams, but the main topic of discussion was Jamel. Anthony had a DVD made of all of Jamel’s fights and training and had a mini-movie made by a professional, and he was going to play it once Jamel and Lucky showed.

At the other more conservative end of the basement, Slim was sitting on the loveseat with Trish answering questions of who was who as she looked through one of the photos albums Lucky had on the end table. She came across a picture of Noonie and another young man. “Wow, is this you?” Trish asked as she turned the photo album around so Noonie who was sitting on the couch with Chantel, could see.

“Damn, I look little skinny,” Noonie said as he leaned toward the picture to get a good look at it.

“And young, but cute baby,” Chantel cooed then kissed her man on the cheek.

Trish asked, “Who’s the other guy?”

There was a pause. Noonie leaned back then said, “That was my best friend, DC. We grew up together.”

“Where is he? Does he live far away or something?” Trish asked. She didn’t mean anything by the question, and she definitely had no idea what had transpired between DC and the crew. He had brought the police in and caused them to lose money, and even worse, some lives were lost in their crew, and Slim had ordered Noonie to kill him—the one street decision that haunts Slim to this day.

Noonie said, “Nah, he’s dead. Someone killed him.” Noonie leaned back on the couch and downed his glass of Ciroc on the rocks.

In a softened tone, Trish said, “I’m sorry. I didn’t know. I just saw how happy you two looked.”

She was correct. They were on a boat on Lake Michigan holding a fishing rod and four King Salmon weighing over twenty-pounds each. They were smiling like brothers, and the love showed.

Anthony interrupted them, and Slim was glad that he did because tension was starting to creep into their space. “Slim, Miss Joplin needs your help.”

Slim headed up the stairs with Anthony behind him. Once they arrived upstairs, Anthony directed Slim to Lucky’s study.

“What’s going on, Ant?” Slim asked.

“I’ll tell you when we get in the office.”

Once inside the office that was furnished with expensive wood and leather furniture, the men stood in front of Lucky’s desk, and that’s when Anthony gave Slim the news.

Slim had a serious look on his face when he asked, “Okay fam, what’s going on that you have to pull me behind closed doors?”

“I got a call from Baby G. He said he heard that Bone was killed last night.”

“What? How?”

“Blasted while outside a bar on the west side. They say he was in there watching the fight and drinking. He left and wasn’t drunk. Had a flat tire and when he was fixing it, a hooded man, who everyone thinks was Hispanic, gunned him down.”

Slim blew a breath of relief and smiled.

Anthony said, “Damn, I thought you would be pissed, he was in with you and the Russian.”

“Oh, I’m going to have to deal with that, and I will. I was nervous because I thought you were going to give me some bad news about Greg, and Lucky’s not here yet, and neither he nor Jamel answered my call or text.”

“I forgot to tell you, he called Miss Joplin on the house phone. She said they were running late and that they were bringing Fight Doctor with them and some good news. Also, it’s the same about Greg. Noonie knows more. He’s the one who sits at the hospital most of the time.”

“Okay, keep me posted on Greg. And no shit? They were meeting with that promoter so maybe it’s some good news.”

“I bet it is. So what do we do about the Bone situation?” Anthony asked.

“Nothing, tonight that is. If he got killed last night, I wonder why we haven’t heard something until now. Why wouldn’t his man, Reynard, be trying to reach out trying to find out who hit their boss?”

“I was wondering the same thing,” Anthony said as he nodded his head.

Slim said, “Call and have all of our spots shut down for the night.”

“All of them?” Anthony questioned making sure he’d heard Slim correctly.

“Yeah, just until tomorrow night. We don’t know what’s going on. I’ll call LaTanza and see if I can get in touch with Reynard. He’s the one in line to take over, right?”

“As far as I know. That’s the way that gang shit work.”

“Yeah, that’s what I’m afraid of because it might mean that Reynard had him hit.”

“You think he’d do something like that?”

“The head of those gangs make a lot of money. It’s the way it’s structured so Reynard may have had him knocked off. You never know. Now I have to see how I’m going to play the co-op. I’m not feeling fucking with Reynard.”

“Then we’re going to have to pay his share to the Russians. That’s a nice chunk to take over, Slim.”

“I know, and that will mean it will take longer for me to reach my goal to get us out of this life. It’s like it’s no way out,” he said as he headed for the door.

*     *     *

LaTanza was sitting on a plush leather lounge chair and Liza the bar stool. They were both wearing bikini swimsuits and cover-ups that were see-through. LaTanza had schooled Liza to talk only when talked to, that she was there only because Chacho had requested. Liza was her bodyguard, but Chacho made them wear bikinis so they had nowhere to put a pistol. He liked being around beautiful women and the two who had come aboard his yacht were that.

Chacho entered the room and waved for the man, who was armed, behind the bar to leave him and his guests alone. Chacho was wearing beige linen pants and his white linen shirt was open exposing his girth, salt and pepper chest hairs and the gold medallion of St. Christopher that hung on his chest.

“Ladies, sorry to keep you waiting, but I was on a very important call.” He walked to LaTanza, and she held out her hand. He kissed the back of it then went to Liza. He did the same but held onto her hand and looked her body over. Without taking his eyes off her hip area, he said, “LaTanza, if I would have known your bodyguard was so beautiful, I would have agreed to deal with you a long time ago.”

“If I would have known that’s all it would have taken, I would have sent her ass here months ago on a one way ticket.”

Liza twisted her lips at LaTanza for her comment, and LaTanza shook her head as if to say she was just kidding.

“Well, I got confirmation that the black guy was killed. So their new leader is in with you now?” Chacho said as he poured himself a drink.

“Everything is set. Now all I need is the product.”

“Ah, so you are ready for real money. Have you talked to Slim about pulling out of your deal with the Russians?”

LaTanza shook her head. “Not yet, I plan on doing that when I receive the product from you. I can’t tell him I’m done dealing with him and you don’t hold up your end.”

Chacho’s laugh was gruff like his voice. Years of heavy cigar and cigarette smoking could do that to one’s voice. “Smart woman. Your drugs are in the States, and I will tell you when and how to get them. The first load is on consignment. After that you pay me, and we continue to deal. We will iron out the details over dinner at my home, but for now, I want to party,” he said as he smiled.

Calmly, LaTanza asked, “What type of partying are you talking about?”

“I want her,” the drug lord said as he pointed to Liza.

LaTanza smiled. “Okay, and what am I to do while you do your thing?”