Gangsta Twist 3 (20 page)

“Saint Tramon has suggested that he take Malcolm's place on the council.”

Laughing, Bob said, “Yeah, I bet she did! She knows that he will be totally loyal to her if she gets him approved on the council.”

“That's what I was thinking. But at the same time it would be a logical choice because Ed was the second in command of all of Malcolm Brown's moves in the Chi, Indiana, Milwaukee, and Minnesota.”

“True. But you want and need more loyalty to you on the council, Taz. That would neutralize Saint Tramon and her allies on the council who are against you,” said Tari.

“Yeah, dog, don't give that broad a chance to put another enemy in line against you on that damn council,” said Red.

“Yeah, that makes no fucking sense, dog,” said Wild Bill.

Nodding his head in agreement, Taz said, “Okay, I'm feeling y'all but the question remains, who do we get to replace Malcolm Brown?”

Tari smiled and said, “Give it some time. I'm sure we can think of something.”

Taz smiled at her and asked, “What do you got going on in that blond head of yours, Tee?”

“I may be blond, baby, but there is nothing blond about my brain. It's time to remain ahead of the enemies, Taz, and I think I've come up with a way to push everything in our favor.”

Taz stared at her as well as the rest of the crew waiting for her to continue.

“I think you should stall on making the announcement of the replacement for Malcolm Brown. At least for a little bit. Let Ed continue to run things out there and let Saint Tramon feel that Ed Polly will be the likely replacement.”

“For how long?”

“Long enough for me to approach Damon and give him an offer that he would be a fool to turn down.”

“Damon!” the entire crew yelled in unison.

Tari smiled and said, “Yes, Damon.”

“Damon as in Saint Tramon's personal assistant Damon?” asked Taz.

“Mm-hmm. I got a feeling he would love to be appointed to the council of the Network and be pulled out from under Saint Tramon's thumb. And if things go as it looks, he will most likely be in charge of a lot more soil than just Chicago, Indiana, Milwaukee, and Minnesota.”

“What makes you think he can be trusted if we approach him with this proposition of yours, Tee?” asked Bob.

She shrugged and said, “It's a hunch. My gut tells me we can make this move and then we will have the real upper hand over her ass. We will have an inside line on every move she makes. So when she gets too cute we'll slam her ass down before she can make any moves she intends to make against us. After that we reward Damon for his services for being the ultimate Benedict Arnold.”

“Damn, you using your head for real, Tee,” said Taz.

“I'm with it. That shit can work,” said Wild Bill.

“I agree,” said Bob.

“Me too,” added Red.

Using the perfect blend of strategic vision along with his street smarts made Taz realize that Tari's idea was the best way to ensure his enemies' demise. Taz was ready to bring them down hard and this seemed like the best way to make it happen. “You're on point all the way here, Tee. Let's make it happen,” Taz said and smiled at the crew.
Let the games begin!

Chapter Twenty
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eight

Malcolm Brown's funeral was fairly small attendance-wise. One would have thought he would have had a bigger turnout for his funeral since he had been looked upon as one of Chicago's elite in both the legal and the illegal businesses he had been involved in. Even though he was considered a ladies' man he didn't have any children and never married, so even the family turnout was minimal. A few local businessmen along with several representatives of the biggest gangs in the Chicago area were there as was the entire council of the Network. They came to pay their last respects to the fallen member of the Network.

Outside of the church after the funeral was over Taz stood with his crew tightly around him. Ed Polly did a good job with his security and that showed Taz that he was on point and capable of making wise decisions. Taz thought that he might just agree to let Ed become a member of the council. He decided right then that an impromptu meeting of the council was in order. He motioned for Ed to come to him. He then whispered his plans in Tari's ear giving her instructions. After he was finished she stepped over to Bob and relayed what Taz told her.

When Ed was in front of Taz he asked, “Is everything all right, Taz?”

“Yeah, Ed, everything is cool, under the circumstances. You did your boss a good service here. Everything was well put together.”

“Thanks, Taz. I still can't believe this happened. What's even more crazy is after eight days there's still no word on the streets who did this to Malcolm. Makes me think this was a professional hit all the way.”

Taz nodded but didn't speak for a few seconds and then said, “I think we need to have a sit-down, Ed, and I need you to set it up for me.”

“No problem, Taz, all you have to do is tell me when and where.”

“ASAP, like within a couple of hours at my suite at the Waldorf Astoria. I want you to get with the council members over there and inform them of this meeting and let them know that I expect all of them to be at my suite so we can have this quick get-together. If they ask why let them know I said there's certain issues that I need to address and leave it at that. Can you handle that for me, Ed?”

“I'm all over it, Taz. Am I to join you guys for this meeting?” Ed asked hopefully.

“Since a part of this meeting will concern whether or not you're going to be appointed to the council I think you should be there, so yeah, I want you to join us, Ed. Let me tell you something: I know you've been loyal to Malcolm Brown for over a decade and I have heard nothing but honorable things about you and how you get down. Since this tragedy Jay Bogard has assured me you've been nothing less than stellar in all areas and that has gained you favor with the council. Malcolm Brown and I were not on the same side of things when it came to the business of the Network. He challenged me on every single move I ever made. I'm sure you know this. What I want to know is, if I give the final stamp of approval on your appointment to the council where will your loyalties lie? Will you follow your predecessor and be against me or will you align your loyalty with me?” Taz stared at him with that faintly mocking smile on his face and waited patiently for his answer.

Ed Polly had waited years for an opportunity like this and now that it had presented itself there was no way he was going to blow it. He returned Taz's stare for a moment and spoke honestly. “Taz, I'm my own man, always have been and always will be. Malcolm and I went back to when we were both heavy in the streets. When he asked me to become his right-hand man I jumped on the opportunity because I knew he was plugged with the Network from his uncle. He had the aspirations of some day being the top dog of the Network; that's why I feel he was always on the opposite side of things with you so much. He respected you and, honestly, he feared you, Taz. He saw something ferocious in you that made him uneasy. I have watched from the sidelines and saw how you made all the right moves as far as the business is concerned and it is proven from this latest move you made that you are one hell of a leader. I would have no problem at all being one hundred percent loyal to you if given the opportunity to become a member of the Network's council. To show my loyalty is real. I have already been approached by Saint Tramon; she all but guaranteed me that I would become a council member as long as I was true to her, Chill Will, and Piper Dixon.”

Taz laughed and said, “I figured that; that's how she rocks. The thing is I am the one with the final say, always. My word counts the most. It's not that I need another council member on my side because my say is final regardless. As I stated you have received stellar reports and I feel you're worthy. By hearing you are willing to be loyal to me as well as the Network I am going to stamp you. If you ever disappoint me, Ed, I'll know that you played me on this day; then I'll know your word ain't shit.”

“I don't play games, Taz; my word is my word. I stand on it at all times.”

“That's right. Set this meeting up for me so we can get this out of the way and I can be out of here by this evening.'

“I'm on it.” Ed shook hands with Taz and stepped quickly to Saint Tramon who was busy holding conversations with Chill Will, Piper Dixon, and Chinaman, and let them know about the meeting that Taz wanted to have at his hotel suite at the Waldorf Astoria. Taz watched as Bob spoke quietly to Snack and Jay Bogard. Tari had already spoken to G.R. and Snuffy so everyone knew that there was going to be a meeting. Boy, were they all about to be surprised, Taz thought as he stepped toward the limousine Ed arranged for his transportation while in Chicago.

 

 

Two hours after leaving Malcolm Brown's funeral service Taz and the crew minus Tari were all inside of Taz's suite along with every member of the council of the Network. With drink in hand Taz stood and stared at everyone to get their attention. Once everyone was silent he began. “Thank you for joining me for this impromptu meeting of sorts. I originally wanted to save this for next month for our quarterly meeting but I decided that now would be a good time to put certain things in order before then. We have a lot to discuss but for now I want to address a few issues that I feel should be brought to your attention. The first order of business is replacing Malcolm Brown on the council. Does any of you have an issue with Ed Polly here becoming Malcolm Brown's replacement? If so please speak now.”

The room remained silent.

“It's agreed then: Ed Polly will be the new council member of the Network and take full control of the Network's responsibilities in Chicago, Milwaukee, and Minnesota.” Taz turned and faced Ed Polly and raised his drink in the air for a toast. “Welcome aboard, Ed. Cheers!”

Everyone inside of the suite who had a drink in their hand followed Taz and said, “Cheers!”

“The more formal rituals that need to be done will be taken care of next month at our quarterly meeting. You have the reins now, Ed, don't disappoint us.”

“I won't, Taz. Thank you and the rest of the council for making me a member of this organization. I am grateful.”

Taz gave a nod and then continued, “Now, to other matters of importance. The murder of Malcolm Brown needs to be addressed.”

“Yes, it does. We need to find out who ordered that hit and deal with him pronto. This shit cannot go without being addressed properly or we'll look weak as fuck,” said Chill Will with serious emotion in his voice.

Taz was staring directly at Saint Tramon when he said, “I agree, Chill Will. When we find out who the person or persons are who had this done they will be dealt with.” Without taking his eyes from Saint Tramon he continued. “As you know before I made the moves to put our arms dealing officially in place I went and had meetings with Jorge Santa Cruz of Colombia, Mr. Suarez of Miami, and Danny Orumutto in California. Two of the three men agreed to do business with us with the arms dealing and accepted that we were pulling out of the drug distribution business. Danny Orumutto was the only man who was disgruntled with my decision.”

“Are you saying that Danny Orumutto had Malcolm Brown killed, Taz?” asked Piper Dixon.

Without removing his eyes from Saint Tramon, he answered, “What I'm saying is that in my meeting with Mr. Suarez I learned that Malcolm Brown was a traitor to us and had committed treason against the Network. He had been giving information of the Network's business dealing to the Cuban drug lord for years.”

“Come on, Taz, you can't slander Malcolm's name now that he is no longer here to defend himself. Let the man rest in peace will ya?” said Chill Will.

Before Taz could respond Ed Polly stood and asked Taz, “If I may speak?”

Taz shook his head yes, granting Ed's request.

“What Taz has said is true. I have been Malcolm's right hand for years and I knew that he was divulging certain information to Mr. Suarez in Miami. What I cannot tell you is why. He never revealed that to me. He did say that sooner or later his time to run the Network would come and that's all he cared about.”

“Thank you, Ed,” Taz said. “It's simple: Malcolm Brown was a traitor to all of us. He wanted so badly to get the top spot that he betrayed the oath we all took as members of the Network. What's done is done. It's not like we can punish him for his wrongs against us. But, I want to take this time to let each of you know that the punishment for treason within the Network is death. A very painful death. I will not tolerate being belittled by our peers because someone within our very own ranks has chosen for selfish reasons to betray us. I know I may not be well liked by some of you here and that's fine. I told each of you when we first met six years ago that I'm not here to be liked but I am here to be respected. I want the Network to remain a powerful organization as well as a force to be reckoned with for many years in every aspect so that our peers will know that we're not to be challenged in any way, shape, or form. How can we be respected as well as feared if we have shit like what Malcolm Brown did continuing? We can't,” Taz said answering his own question.

“The weak shit has to stop and I mean stop now. As you can see by the moves being made in the last month we have made more money in thirty days of arms dealing than we would have made in six months of distributing drugs. I've spoken to Akim and have been assured that it's only going to get better. So as long as everyone continues to do their part this will only gain us more and more money.”

Though he was on the record as not being a Taz fan Chill Will spoke honestly. “I understand everything you have said and I agree with you on all accounts, Taz. Malcolm Brown broke the oath and if he was alive I'd kill the bastard myself for his crimes against us. We may not agree on things but we all have the same common goal and that's to handle the Network's business to the best of our ability. I was not with the drug dealing business being shut down at all, but I have to admit that the moves being made with the guns and shit is looking like one hell of an idea. I have one question and that is do you feel anyone else on this council has betrayed the Network in any way?”

Taz stared at Saint Tramon, smiled, and said, “If I did, that business would be handled by me personally. On my flight here I received a call from Danny Orumutto and it ended with me telling him to make his next move be his best move. I feel he had something to do with Malcolm Brown's murder but I have no proof to answer your question from earlier, Piper.”

“Understood,” she replied.

“I do have a lot of suspicions and I am in the process of checking into them as we speak. By this time next month I should have the answers I'm looking for and then everything will be addressed accordingly.”

Saint Tramon smiled at Taz and said, “I for one cannot wait to find out your findings on all of this business. It seems very intriguing, and at the same time sad because this organization was built on loyalty and for that loyalty to be tainted is wrong, totally wrong.”

Taz stared at her with laughter in his eyes and said, “I couldn't agree with you more, Saint Tramon.”

“Was there something humorous in what I just said, Taz?”

Taz was tired of the games. It was not time to reveal his hand, but he felt he could give just a little bit. “What I find amusing is you and your nonchalance to the matters at hand. You either think you're super intelligent or I'm an absolute idiot. Either way the games are about to come to an end. I have my suspicions about you on several issues and if any of them become factual your days as being a part of the Network will come to an abrupt end.”

“Threats are a waste of time, young man. Especially silly threats without any facts behind them.”

“Because I haven't spoken on my suspicions doesn't mean I don't have the facts to support them. I don't have the facts needed to bring to the table against you. But I will tell you what my gut is telling me. You're in bed with Danny Orumutto. You want to continue the drug business and either become the top dog of the Network or place someone in charge who you will be able to have influence over.”

Laughing, Saint Tramon said, “You are out of your mind and I should be insulted by this but it's so absurd that I can't be offended by any of it. I'm making just as much as everyone else on your arms dealing business. I spoke on behalf of the changes in the last meeting and this is how you repay me for my loyalty? Everyone inside of this room knows I am not a fan of yours but for you to form these types of conspiracy theories against me because of some of my past grievances against you, Taz, is flat out wrong.”

“Noted. Trust and believe if I am proved wrong I will give you my most sincere apology in front of every man and woman here today. But if my suspicions or as you said, conspiracy theories, are proven correct then it's like I said: your days will be over with the Network.”