Gutta Mamis (6 page)

“No problem. Thirty minutes.” Breeze slapped the phone closed, her eyes locked on Lele talking to the bartender. Lele slid the bartender a piece of paper and then she held the bartender's hand and wrote on her wrist. The bartender's curly hair seemed to bounce along with the vibrant music; her eyes never left Lele's hips. She reminded Breeze of a black Betty Boop.

Breeze stood up. Lele pulled away from the bartender and walked to the door. She put her sunglasses on before she stepped through the heavy glass doors. She never looked back at Breeze.

“This bitch.” Breeze looked around for the waiter. She had to go, but she wasn't leaving the waiter with that hundred-dollar bill. She needed change and then would give a tip.

As her eyes scanned the large room, she noticed Betty Boop walking toward her with a huge grin on her face. “You must be Breeze.”

“Depends.” Breeze wasn't interested in playing games at the moment; the bartender was no longer important. She had to get outside to Lele and cuss her out for how she was acting.

“On what?” The bartender smiled again. She wasn't taking the hint.

Breeze tucked her hands in her pockets and locked her steel-gray eyes on the bartender. “On who's asking and why.”

“Well, I am Jessica. And Lele asked me to bring this to you.” Jessica smirked as she handed her the note. Breeze took it, ignoring Jessica's smile as she walked away.

You take what you want. I am doing the same.

Breeze balled up the note in her fist. She snatched the hundred-dollar bill from the folder and dropped two twenties and a ten on the table instead. She didn't have time for Lele and her games right now. Breeze walked out.

During the day, a nightclub is the emptiest space in the world. People fill the space, working and preparing for the night to come, but it seems like the skeleton of what the club really is, the opposite of when it is pulsating with moving bodies and hypnotic rhythms.

Club Enjami was no different. It was one of Crown's spots, the space where he happened to be most of the time. Tandra knew she could find him there. She wanted full payment for her trouble the night before and she wanted her money immediately. She didn't have a relationship with Crown and wasn't going to risk falling victim to “out of sight, out of mind” bullshit as it pertained to her money.

Walking up to the three-story warehouse, she glanced over her shoulder at Breeze sitting in a dark black Cadillac. The real owner of the car would be pissed when he discovered his ride was gone. Tandra couldn't see Breeze, but it was good knowing that she was there, that Tandra wasn't alone.

“Can you hear me?” Tandra whispered without moving her mouth as she stepped into the cool space, hoping the small microphone hidden in her collar was working

“No doubt.” Breeze's voice sounded small and computerized. It didn't matter; at least they could hear each other.

Tandra adjusted her short red wig, checked her lipstick in her reflection in the glass, and pulled open the door.

As soon as Tandra stepped into the warehouse, she felt blinded.
It took a quick second for her eyes to adjust to the dark atmosphere. A lady in all black came over to her. “May I help you?”

“Yes.” Tandra looked around the room, but didn't see anyone of obvious power in her space. “I need to see Crown. I have an appointment,” she lied.

The girl looked her up and down and then, accepting her story, said, “Follow me.”

Tandra walked behind the small girl and took in the feel of the club. A couple of people were laughing and talking to each other. A girl with twists in her hair was dancing alone to the quiet music playing in the background. Two men moved lounge furniture around to better accommodate the expected crowd.

The girl stopped in front of a short man whose long locs were pulled back into a neat ponytail. He wore the vest and pants of a three-piece suit; his expensive pink shirt was flattered by a pink, blue, and gold tie. He looked at her questioningly as the waitress nodded and walked off.

Tandra was surprised; she had been expecting bodyguards and an entourage of men, which was why she wanted to bring Lenora. The two of them together, dressed to kill and exuding sensuality, would give off an image of mystery. By herself, Tandra hoped she could still maintain that professionalism and get the benefit from it that she needed.

“May I help you?”

“I am not sure,” Tandra said, as she again glanced around the club. “I am here to meet Crown.”

“And you are?”

“Tandra. We have business to discuss.”

The man nodded; his face blank. Tandra continued, without showing any emotion. “I own a cleaning business.”

“Tandra.” His English accent kicked in and he stood straight up,
returning to a stature of royalty. She realized that he had purposely changed his accent and stance as a cover. “I know you.”

“So you
are
Crown.”

“How is it we haven't met before?” He moved closer to her, taking her hand in his and leading her to a table in the rear of the club, away from the few people working and the couple of people just lounging.

“No reason to. I don't like to pay clients a visit; I prefer to have payment worked out before my duties are carried out.”

“Of course you do.” He observed her like she was entertainment. “So, how do you want to do this?”

Tandra's hand floated near her Beretta. “What do you mean?”

“I mean, what are you charging me and how do you want your money?”

Really?
Tandra glanced around the club again. Rarely was anything this easy in life. What was the catch? “I am charging you forty for the mess you left.”

Crown winced as he pulled out her chair. Tandra didn't want to sit down, but had no way out of complying with him. She slid into the seat and he sat across from her.

“Did I hear you correctly?”

“Yes, you did. The fee is double, plus expenses. Your people left an unnecessary mess. We had to remove furniture, paint and the count was…” Tandra raised her hands to show eight fingers.

“But that is what you do.”

“No.” Tandra crossed her legs. Crown watched her legs with appreciation; his slight smile turned Tandra on. She tried to ignore it. “What I do is make sure that the scene is evidence-free. That's easy enough with a low count and unnecessary brutality.” Tandra leaned forward. “When someone participates in a bloodbath, there are additional expenses.”

Crown sat back and observed her. “I like you.”

“That is irrelevant.”

“No, it is very relevant. It makes all the difference in the world.”

Tandra stared at him as he smiled at her.

“How do I know it's been handled?”

“Send someone up there to check it out if you want. I don't care. I won't be going back.”

Crown nodded his head. “Do you have anything for me?”

“All residue has been eliminated.”

“I am willing to pay thirty. For your trouble.”

“Sixty and the price will go up with every counteroffer.” Tandra stood up. “Don't waste my time and please don't disrespect my professionalism. I take what I do very seriously; it is not a discount service to be negotiated down.”

“And if I don't pay?”

Tandra shrugged and kept her game face in play. If he didn't pay, then a few of the bullet casings that she had would find their way to the police and that was for damn sure. That evidence wouldn't be buried in final until she was paid in full. But she wouldn't tell him that. He would find out the hard way what the consequences were, and it would be in a way that he couldn't prove her responsible and couldn't directly retaliate against her.

“Oh, so you keep insurance for yourself, huh?”

Tandra met Crown's eyes. “Sixty-five then?”

“Please, sit down, sweet lady.” Crown laughed and clapped his hands. A thick woman with evil eyes approached and grimaced at Tandra, who didn't acknowledge her with anything more than a glance.

Crown mumbled something to her and she walked away. “So, Tandra, what do you drink?”

“I don't.” Tandra was ready to go.

“What are you doing this evening?”

At the direct question, Tandra smiled and met his eyes. “I am sure I will be working.”

“Cleaning?”

Tandra shook her head no. “Cleaning is not my only business.”

“Ah, an entrepreneur.” The woman returned and dropped four stacks on the table. “I like a woman with some grind.”

Tandra rolled her eyes.

Crown smiled. “Forty grand, then?”

Tandra weighed her options. She met his smile with a sweet one of her own, but her eyes were deadly serious. “Forty is no longer on the table—it was my initial offer and you forced me to have to counteroffer.”

“Let's meet in the middle, Tandra. You can do that, right?”

Tandra considered it. She nodded.

Crown raised one finger. The woman with the evil eyes appeared and dropped another stack on the table. She rolled her eyes at Tandra as she walked away. Tandra laughed out loud as Crown shook his head.

“My assistant is territorial.”

“I see.” Tandra shook her head. “It's no problem.” Tandra stood again, preparing to leave.

“So, Tandra, why don't you enjoy Club Enjami sometime? VIP. On me, of course.”

Tandra smiled. She needed a night out. Maybe she would bring Lyell and Lenora and tell Breeze to bring Lele. They could pop bottles and just relax. “Maybe. When would be a good night?”

Crown stood up and placed his hand on her waist. “Tonight, of course…”

“I'm not sure about tonight. I would want to bring some friends.”

“Maybe this weekend, then?”

Tandra gave Crown a flirtatious grin. He was sexy. Tandra pointed to the stack of money on the table. “Can you give me something to put that in?

“Of course, Sexy.” Crown raised a hand again.

The evil-eyed woman appeared again with a purple leather handbag. At the same time, Tandra saw someone walking toward her, his motion smooth but purposeful; too focused for someone in a club in the middle of the day. He bumped into a waiter and walked across the center of the dance floor. His eyes were on her and Crown.

Tandra's instinct sounded off like a three-bell alarm. She didn't know why, but her hands reached for her Beretta. Crown's eyes widened, his jaw fell open.

The man raised the gun. The first explosion stunned the people in the room; everyone stood still for a second until the evil-eyed woman screamed as blood squirted from her shoulder. Bodies were in motion after that. Crown grabbed for Tandra, but she would be damned if he used her as a human shield. She lunged past him as a second shot rang out and hit the floor behind the table. Her gun slid from her fingertips under the bench behind her.

“Crown, you son of a bitch!” The gunman screamed; a bloodcurdling sound that made Tandra's heart drop to her toes.

She knew that voice.

The several people that had been milling about before broke for the door at the sound of the first shot. Tandra and Crown were trapped, too deep in the club to get past the gunman. The gunman smiled at Crown; he had the advantage.

Bodyguards that Tandra hadn't noticed before emerged from the shadows of the club. The dark man fired and hit the tall man running toward Crown from the bar; another bullet nailed the shorter guard who had been talking with the waitress by the kitchen. The second shot hadn't come from the gunman; a female dressed in all black had shot him.

A female who came running out of the kitchen with a gun; the gunwoman in all black shot her. The woman in all black ran into the kitchen and Tandra could hear her blasting her gun to clear the room. The shot woman fell close to Tandra, who tried to crawl closer to get her gun.

“Bitch, don't move.” Tandra felt the heat from the gun near the back of her neck. She lay still facing the floor and spread out her arms. The gunman took the gun from the victim, whom he shot in the face.

Tandra didn't blink.

“Crown, you're finished. You hear me.”

“Detrick, this is a foolish move.” Crown's smooth voice contained
no fear, in fact he sounded like he was laughing. Tandra couldn't believe it was Detrick who was shooting up the place. She turned her head to better focus on the man in the dim light. It
was
Detrick.
Shit
. Whatever this was, it had nothing to do with her. She figured it was time to make her exit.

Tandra stood up.

Detrick glanced at her, his face questioning her boldness, until he recognized her. “Tandra. The red hair threw me off. I didn't know that was you.”

“Detrick, I don't have anything to do with what's going on here.” Tandra took a step toward the door.

“Oh, you don't?” Detrick kept his gun trained on Crown, but Tandra had his full attention. “Actually, I am glad you're here. I can get some fucking answers now.”

“What?” Tandra shook her head; he had her twisted. There was no question that she had the answer to where it concerned him.

Crown interrupted, “Detrick, what the hell are you thinking, huh, to pull some shit like this on me? On the Crown?” His accent made his words faster and choppier. “I made you. And you cross the Crown?”

Detrick shot Crown in the thigh. Crown whimpered as the force of the shot knocked him to the ground. “You tried to kill me and my crew.”

Crown didn't answer, his teeth clenched as he grabbed his leg.

“You thought I wasn't going to know. You hired them damn Cleaners to cover your trail. So, what, you were going to take us all out? Just like that, Crown?”

Tandra's eyes flitted between Detrick and Crown. How did Detrick know about the job? How had he found out who was in the apartment?

The female in all black stepped out of the kitchen, her gun drawn. Tandra knew, without looking at her, that it was Lenora. The puzzle pieces fell into place. Her heart stopped beating for a second and sadness flooded her. Lenora had talked and had walked in like Detrick's do-or-die bitch.