Commit to Violence (5 page)

"I told you, Blue was a real loyal soldier for my father. I thought he’d be the right one to watch out for my interests."

"I’m lookin’ out for your interests,"

"You are, aren’t you," Rain said and thought about her real problem. After getting hit twice, she was running low on product and money. Rain had to do something and she knew she needed help. Telling Nick was the last thing she wanted to do. Not that she didn’t think he would help her. Rain knew she could get Nick to do anything she wanted. She just didn’t feel like hearing his mouth.

CHAPTER EIGHT

Bobby turned on White Plains Road and headed back uptown. Each place they stopped, nobody knew anything about Kenny’s murder. After talking with Sherman, Black and Bobby went by Luke’s apartment, but he wasn’t there. Black told Bobby to ride by there again to see if he had come back.

"So what you think about this big thing Sherman was talkin’ about?" Bobby asked as he drove.

"I don’t know, Bobby. I’m just hopin’ whatever it is doesn’t involve us."

"Yeah, me, too, but I got a feelin’ that it does."

"You know I hate it when that happens ’cause you’re usually right. You think somebody’s comin’ after us?"

"Killin’ Kenny may have been the first move."

"Happens every time," Black said.

"What’s that?"

"Every time we step back a little, somebody sees that as weak, and they try us."

"Then we kill them; and everything goes back to normal. It’s the natural order of things," Bobby said.

"Yeah, I guess so," Black said and looked out the window.

The fact that he couldn’t keep living this way was never far from his mind. Black thought about how he was shot and almost died at a meeting with legitimate businessmen.

It began when Congressman Martin Marshall called and said he wanted to meet to talk about a new business opportunity. Black and Martin usually met on the corner of 34th Street and 7th Avenue. They blended into the crowd and talked. "I’m thinking about making a little investment, and I need a partner."

"I’m listening."

"How much do you know about sugar-based ethanol?" Martin asked.

"Not much."

"I’m thinking about making an investment in Cuba."

"Isn’t that illegal? Like treason-type of illegal?"

"That’s why I need partners. You being one, and some Chinese businessmen," Martin announced.

"That supposed to make me feel better about it?"

"With its huge potential for producing clean, renewable sugar-based ethanol, Cuba represents a significant source of energy that will remain unavailable to American consumers unless we undo the embargo."

"Is our new president moving in that direction?" Black asked.

"He’s already relaxed some restrictions," Martin told Black that day. Martin went on to explain how the huge potential for profit would be if the Cuban ethanol would become available for export to its nearest neighbor.

"I see your point. What’s the next step?" Black asked.

"I’m going to arrange a meeting with my Chinese friends and some enterprising members of the Cuban government."

"When?" Black asked.

"I’ll call you in a couple of days, and I’ll let you know where and when."

"I’m going to the Bahamas day after tomorrow," Black said. He had made arrangements to meet Jamaica in Nassau to talk about expanding and to look into buying some property on the island.

"Bahamas, huh? Business or pleasure?"

"Little of both."

"How long are you planning on being gone?"

"Couple of days. I’ll keep in touch."

"Do that," Martin said and the two separated.

One advantage to meeting Martin on 34th Street was that it served a dual purpose. It was far from Martin’s Congressional District in the Bronx, and it was close to a high-end boutique called The In-town Experience, which was owned and operated by CeCe. Her real name was Cameisha Collins. She used to be with a baller that called himself Cash Money. After Cash was murdered by Mylo’s hit team, CeCe made herself very useful to Black. Anything he’d tell her to do got done.

Since he was going to the Bahamas, Black decided to invite CeCe to join him. "That is if you’re not too busy," he said, looking around the practically empty store.

"Just you and me?"

"You, me, and Kevon."

"Of course I want to go with you. How long are we staying?"

"Couple of days. Maybe a week.

After spending a few days in Nassau, Black met Martin in Freeport for their meeting with the Chinese and the Cubans.

"Martin Marshall to see Huang Chang." Scotty, Martin’s right-hand man said. And the man stepped aside to allow them to enter. When they entered the suite, two men and a very attractive woman all rose to their feet.

"Mr. Marshall," one of the men said and extended his hand. "I am Huang Chang. This is my associate, Wei Jiang. My assistant Mei Ai Bao and you have already met Xiang Yong. He is, how you say—my bodyguard," Chang said and each bowed slightly.

"This is my associate Mike Black. You’ve already met Scotty, and this is Mr. Black’s bodyguard, Kevon Bailey."

The meeting was a success. The group decided to move forward and make an investment in Cuba, while Martin used his position to influence American foreign policy. But there was one person at the meeting who was not happy with the decision. His name was Maximino Cristóbal. He felt strongly that the group should invest in oil development in Cuba instead of sugar-based ethanol.

Chang had just returned from his trip to Cuba and was anxious to get together with Black to discuss the details of their venture.

"To be honest with you, Chang, I was making plans to get off the island before you called," Black told Chang. There was a hurricane reported to be heading for the island, and he wanted to be gone before it hit. "Why don’t we get together when we get back to New York? This way Martin will be able to sit in with us."

"Here is the situation. I spoke with Cristóbal several times while I was in Cuba. He is still here on the island. He still feels that we should make an investment in oil development."

"I understand that. It puts him in a better position financially. But we all agreed. Oil is not where the future is."

"And that is still my position. That has not changed. As you said, when the oil is gone it’s gone. You can always grow more sugar cane."

"Exactly," Black said. "So if that’s the case, why are we even talking about oil?"

"I only agreed to speak with him as a courtesy to Clemente Eustaquio. As I said, Clemente is a trusted old friend, whom I have done business with for years."

"I can understand that."

"I assure you that we will take care of our business and be off the island long before the storm approaches."

"So when does he want to get together?"

"This afternoon over lunch, so please bring your associate with you. Martin tells me that she is quite charming, in addition to being very beautiful."

Black looked at CeCe who was sitting across from him packing. "She is that
and
so much more."

"After that, I am leaving the island going back to New York on my private jet. I would be honored if you would join me."

"I accept your most gracious offer."

"Excellent. My limousine will pick you up at your hotel at noon."

"We’ll be ready."

The meeting was to be held at a house in McLean’s Town, which was about forty kilometers outside of Freeport. It was the farthest settlement on the east end of the island that could be reached by two roughly paved roads. The winds were stronger on that side of the island as the storm approached much faster than anyone had anticipated.

When they got to the house, lunch was served and afterwards, Black, Chang and Cristóbal went into another room to talk. Kevon, CeCe and Chang’s assistant, Mei Ai Bao were asked to wait along with two of Cristóbal’s men. Xiang Yong, Chang’s bodyguard waited outside along with another one of Cristóbal’s men.

"Cuba has been oil hunting for decades, and their attempts have not always been successful," Chang began as they entered the room.

"This is true," Cristóbal said and took a seat behind his desk in front of the French doors. "However, as you know, with discovery of oil field’s revealed within five miles of Cuba’s northern coast, we expect yields which could excess forty percent of Cuba’s total production," Cristóbal said.

"How much is that?" Black asked.

"Roughly seventy-five thousand barrels a day of heavy crude. Oil companies from China have already begun talks with Cuban energy officials about investments in deep-water operations."

"I am well aware of this fact, Cristóbal," Chang said and looked impatiently at his watch.

"What you may not be aware of is that the north Cuban basin holds a substantial quantity of oil: ten billion barrels of crude and ten trillion to twenty trillion cubic feet of natural gas. This creates an opportunity for foreign oil conglomerates with offers of production-sharing agreements."

Chang took a deep breath. "You tell me things that I am already well aware of. And frankly, it does nothing to change my mind in this matter."

"I am sorry that you feel this way," Cristóbal said and pushed a button on his desk.

"I agreed to meet with you today out of respect for Clemente. But unless you have something new and profitable to share with us, I’m afraid this meeting will be a short one," Chang said.

Outside the house one of Cristóbal’s men approached Xiang Yong and motioned him for a cigarette. When Xiang Yong stood up, the man covered Xiang Yong’s mouth and shoved a knife in his stomach.

Back inside of the house. "Clemente was an old fool who had outlived his usefulness." Cristóbal removed a gun from the desk drawer and stood up. "That is why I killed him," he said and shot Chang.

Cristóbal turned the gun on Black and he hit the floor quickly and took out his gun. Hearing the shot, Kevon burst through the door and was immediately shot twice in the chest. Black fired at Cristóbal, but he was able to escape through the French doors.

In the living room, one of Cristóbal’s men shot Mei Ai Bao and started toward the office while the other went after CeCe, who had just come out of the bathroom when the shooting began. She quickly went into one of the other rooms and hid under the bed.

Black got to his feet and went after Cristóbal. When he got to the doors, Black could see him running and fired at him, but missed. Black came back inside and saw one of Cristóbal’s men standing over Kevon’s body. He looked at Black and both men fired. Black hit him with two shots to the head, but felt pain and burning in his stomach.

He kicked the gun away from Cristóbal’s man and knelt down next to Kevon. He checked for a pulse. "Goodbye, my friend," Black said and closed his eyes.

Black picked up Kevon’s gun and went into the living room. He saw Mei Ai Bao’s lifeless body slumped over on the couch, but no CeCe.

"CeCe," he screamed and went looking for her.

Black opened the front door and saw Xiang Yong’s body. "Damn." He looked around to see if he saw her and went back inside. Knowing that there were at least two more of Cristóbal’s men as well as Cristóbal himself, Black moved through the house slowly.

Cristóbal’s men separated and began going room to room looking for CeCe. One had just checked a room and came back into the hall when he spotted Black. But Black saw him first and let loose with both guns. The man went down. Black took his gun and shot him twice in the head before moving on.

"CeCe," he called again, but got no answer. Though he tried not to think about it, his mind drifted to thoughts of Cassandra. He couldn’t let another woman die because he wasn’t there to protect her. He gripped his guns a little tighter and continued his search, hoping that he wouldn’t find her dead.

Cristóbal’s man finally made it to the room where CeCe was hiding under the bed. She held her breath and tried to remain as still as possible. She had heard Black calling for her, so she knew he was coming. She just hoped that he would get there before it was too late.

CeCe watched the man’s feet as he moved through the room looking for her. She closed her eyes when he stopped in front of the bed. "There you are, bitch."

CeCe opened her eyes and saw the gun pointed at her. She shut her eyes tightly, and then she heard the shot, then another, and then a loud noise. She opened her eyes and saw the man lying on the floor next to the bed.

Black turned the bed over and held his hand out to help CeCe get up. "Are you all right?" Black asked.

CeCe got up and threw her arms around him. "I’m okay."

"Come on. We gotta get out of here," Black said and dropped to his knees.

CeCe looked at him and saw the blood on his shirt. "Oh my God! You’ve been shot!"

CeCe struggled, but was able help Black to his feet. She draped his arm over her shoulder and helped him walk out of the room.

"Where’s Kevon?"

"He’s dead," Black said as he walked. He could feel himself starting to get light-headed, most likely from the loss of blood pressure. By the time they got to the door, he felt like his legs were about to give out on him.

CeCe could feel the weight of his body increase on her shoulders. "Hold on, baby. I’m gonna get you outta here."

As they got closer to the door, they could hear what sounded like more shots being fired. They stopped. Black took a deep breath and raised his weapon. "Get behind me," he said.

"It sounded like it was coming from outside," CeCe said, and they continued making their way through the house. When they reached the door Black leaned against the wall and looked out the window. "Do you see anybody?" CeCe asked.

"No. But it’s hard to tell with all that rain. Wait here." Black opened the door and stepped outside with his gun raised. CeCe followed him out, having to step over Xiang Yong’s body.

"We got to make it to that limo," Black said. He started to walk, but his legs were giving out and he had to steady himself against the wall to keep from falling.

"No," CeCe said and took Kevon’s gun from his waist. "You stay here and save your strength. I’ll get the car."

"You know how to use that?"

"No, but it will come to me," she said and ran out into the pouring rain toward the limo.

Black kept his gun raised and watched as CeCe made it to the limo. She stopped in front of the limo and looked back at him. Then she moved around to the side, and then around to the other side. CeCe opened the driver’s side door and stepped back quickly. When Black saw her running back toward the house, he knew that something was wrong.

"The driver is dead. All four tires are flat, and there’s a big hole in the front."