A Gangsta Twist Saga (44 page)

“Gotcha!” Red said, and they headed toward their next destination.

 

 

Li'l Bomb was leaning against an old rusty Ford when his eyes grew wide as saucers. He couldn't believe what he was seeing. Two Doberman Pinschers were attacking any and everyone inside of the shop. “What the fuck?” he yelled as he pulled out his nine and tried to get a clear shot at one of the dogs.

All in all, there were seven Hoover Crips in the back of the auto body shop. Every last one of them was running around for their lives as the vicious dogs attacked.

Taz, Red and Keno smiled as they stood on the side of the building and watched Precious and Heaven get busy. Taz frowned when he saw Li'l Bomb pull out his gun and cock a live round into its chamber. He stepped around from the side of the building and started unloading his nine toward Li'l Bomb. Li'l Bomb caught two bullets in his right leg and one in his left arm and he fell to the ground.

Taz yelled for Precious and Heaven to stand down. Both of the dogs stopped their attacks and watched as Red and Keno commenced to shooting every gang member inside of the room. Taz stepped over to Li'l Bomb and asked, “Where does that nigga C-Baby live, li'l nigga?”

Li'l Bomb spit toward Taz's face and yelled, “Fuck you, cuz! I'm Li'l Bomb! I ain't no fuckin' snitch! This is Hoover Crip 'til I die, cuz!”

Taz didn't say another word as he shot Li'l Bomb three times in his face. The young gang member died instantly. Taz turned and saw a female, who couldn't have been more than seventeen years old, cowering behind a beat-up old Chevy. He stepped over to her quickly and asked, “Are any of these li'l niggas related to you?”

The teenager shook her head violently and said, “N-n-no, s-s-sir!”

“All right, this is what I want you to do. Get the hell outta here, and if anyone asks if you were here or anything about what happened here tonight, you bet' not tell them anything about what you saw, because if you do, then I'm goin' to have to come find you. And even though hurting women and children ain't my thang, you would have forced my hand. Do you understand what I'm tellin' you?”

The terrified teenager stared at Taz and said, “Ye-yes, s-sir, I understand.”

“Good. Now get outta here!” Taz smiled as he watched the scared teenager run out of the auto body shop without a backward glance. He turned toward Red and Keno and said, “Let's go get that nigga they call H-Hop.”

 

 

After Clifford had checked into the Westin Hotel in downtown Oklahoma City, he called H-Hop to see if everything was all right around the way. As soon as H-Hop answered the phone, he said, “Cuz, them niggas is tryin' to take the whole fuckin' set out! They done blasted about ten or twelve of the homies already!”

“
What?
When did this happen?” Clifford asked as he sat down on the bed in his hotel room, trying to absorb the news that H-Hop just gave him.

“About twenty minutes ago, cuz. I don't know about you, but I'm up out this bitch, loc. Them niggas are on the war ride for real! I'm about to get outta dodge for a minute,” H-Hop said.

Though it wasn't a laughing matter, Clifford laughed and said, “I thought you was about to get your ride on. What happened to that slick shit you was talking, cuz? I told you them niggas ain't playing.”

“Yeah, I'm feelin' you now, cuz, 'cause I'm outta here!”

“Where are you going to go?”

“I gots a bitch that stays out in Midwest City. I'm gon' lay it down at her pad until this shit dies down a bit. You know the ones are goin' to be all over the fuckin' place. I ain't got time to be gettin' caught up with them. You know I'm still on paper.”

“Yeah, I feel you. What's up with Li'l Bomb? Have you heard from him yet?”

“Nah, but from what I heard, he might just be dead too, cuz. Them niggas went to the auto body shop where that li'l nigga is always at and tore shit up. One of the homies said something about some killa dogs or some shit too.”

“Killer dogs? Where the fuck did that come from?”

“Ain't no tellin'. You know how niggas get to stretchin' shit, loc. I ain't waitin' around to find out if it's true or not, though. I'm outta here. Hit me on my celly if you find out anything. We still gon' get them niggas, cuz. It's just goin' to take a li'l longer than I expected.”

“All right then, I'll get at you,” Clifford said, hung up the phone and relaxed back on the bed.
Damn! Taz is on the warpath. Astro's dead, and Li'l Bomb is probably dead too. This shit has gotten way out of hand,
he thought as he tried his best to calm his nerves.

 

 

Timing and a lot of luck was on H-Hop's side. He pulled out of his apartment complex about three minutes before Taz, Red and Keno pulled up to his apartment building. When Taz didn't see H-Hop's car parked in front of his building, he decided enough was enough, at least for the time being.

“Let's take it in, my niggas. That nigga H-Hop gets a pass tonight. We can't keep rollin' around in this 'Burban.”

“Yeah, the message has been sent. Them fools know we ain't playin' with they ass no more,” Red said as he turned the truck around to leave the apartment complex.

“What are we gon' do now, dog?” asked Keno.

Taz sighed heavily and said, “We goin' to put the homey to rest and let the heat cool down in the city. After that, we're goin' to turn it right back up until we get H-Hop and that nigga Cliff. They have to die before I'll even consider stoppin' this shit.”

“You gots that right, my nigga,” said Red.

“Listen, after you dump this truck, you need to take the straps we used tonight and get rid of them too. Ain't no need for us keepin' some hot heat. Can you handle it, or do you need some help?”

“I got it, dog.”

“Have you heard anything from Wild Bill?”

“Yeah, he's straight. He said they stitched him up and his arm's in a sling. He's good though,” said Keno. “But you know that li'l nigga is gon' be on one as soon as he feels up to it.”

“Yeah, I know. I can't believe that he's gone, dog. Bo-Pete is fuckin' gone! This shit is too fucked up!” said Taz as he rested his head on the headrest of his seat.

“Yeah, I never thought we'd ever have beef like that out here. It's been so damn long that we had to get at anybody in the city that I just didn't think some shit like this could ever happen, dog,” Keno said as he lit himself a Black and Mild cigar.

“They say everything happens for a reason, gee,” said Red.

“I wish someone would explain to me the reason why we gots to bury Bo-Pete. 'Cause for the life of me, my niggas, I just can't understand this shit,” Taz said as he closed his eyes for the remainder of the ride back to his home.

As soon as Taz walked into his home, Sacha ran into his arms and gave him a tight hug. He scooped her into his arms and carried her upstairs to his bedroom. No words were exchanged as they both undressed and made passionate love for the next few hours.

Just before Taz fell asleep, Red called him and told him that he disposed of the truck as well as the weapons they'd used earlier.

“All right, dog, get at me in the morning so we can start gettin' Bo-Pete ready.”

“All right, my nigga. Oh, you better call that nigga Bob. He's pissed! I mean
p-i-s-s-e-d
at your ass!” Red said and laughed.

Taz smiled and said, “All right, I'll call his ass now. Out!”

“Out!”

Taz smiled at Sacha as she snored lightly next to him. He climbed out of the bed, grabbed the cordless phone and took it downstairs with him. When he made it to his living room, he sat down on his sofa and called Bob.

Bob answered on the first ring and said, “Nigga, you ain't shit! How the fuck could you do me like that, Taz? That shit was fucked up, dog! You think I'm a coward or some shit, nigga? Huh? Is that it, Taz? You think 'cause I fucked up in L.A. and in New York that I'm on some soft shit, gee?”

“Calm the fuck down, nigga! Damn! You know damn well I know you're not a coward. I just didn't want you in the fuckin' way. You still fucked up, dog, can't you see that? I'm not lettin' Wild Bill get down with us either, not until he's a hundred percent to the good. So you might as well sit back with your broad and relax, 'cause ain't nothin' goin' down until you're ready, my nigga.”

“You know what? Fuck you! Nigga, you can't tell a grown-ass man what the fuck he can and can't do! You think you took all of my straps? You think you took the keys to all of my rides? Fool, I got somethin' for your ass. There are some things about the Bob that you don't know, nigga! Them niggas took my nigga, so I'm takin' some of them! It's as simple as that!” Bob yelled angrily.

“Look, dog, we done put it down for the night. The city is too fuckin' hot for you to go out there right now. All you'll fuckin' do is end up gettin' caught the fuck up. Stand down for at least the rest of the night, my nigga.”

“Fuck you, Taz!” Bob screamed and hung up the phone in Taz's ear.

Taz shook his head from side to side as he went back upstairs to his bedroom.
Everything happens for a reason,
he thought to himself as he climbed back in bed with his fiancée.

 

 

Gwen had tears falling down her face as she watched Bob put on his black Army fatigues. She knew that nothing she could say was going to stop him from doing what he felt he had to do. She took a deep breath and calmly said, “Bob, can you wait for a minute?”

“Wait for what? I told you, them niggas have to be dealt with, baby, and I'm about to deal with they ass!”

“I understand that, Bob, I really do. I just need you to wait for a minute, because if you're going to go out there and handle your business, then I'm going with you.”

Her words stopped him from getting dressed. He turned toward her and asked, “What the fuck did you just say?”

“You heard me. I said I'm going with you. I lost William because I wasn't with him, and there hasn't been a day that has passed by that I haven't wished I was inside of that car with him and my baby. If you have to do this, Bob, then I'm doing it with you. That way if something goes wrong, at least I'll know I was by your side the entire time. And, believe me, there is nothing you can do or say to stop me. I'm going with you!” she stated coldly.

Bob smiled and said, “Are you sure you can stomach what I'm about to put down, baby?”

“I guess I'm about to find out.”

“I gots me a straight gangsta bitch on my team, huh?”

Gwen shook her head no and said, “I'm a psychologist, Bob. I'm nowhere near a gangsta. I've made this decision simply because there is no other way for me to be able to deal with this logically. I'm in love with my man, and I'm willing to die before I let him leave me.”

He gave her a nod of his head and said, “All right then, baby, let's go.”

 

 

Tazneema was watching the news with Mama-Mama, listening to all of the killings that had taken place in the last few hours. “Dang! What's going on in this city?”

“Them damn heathens are out there actin' a damn fool,” Mama-Mama said from the other side of the room. “That shit don't make no damn sense, killin' each other like that. And for what? A damn gang? Lord, please help these children!”

As Tazneema listened to her grandmother, for some strange reason her father came to her mind. “Have you talked to my Daddy, Mama-Mama?”

Mama-Mama smiled and asked, “Your Daddy? Who is that, girl?” She laughed and continued, “I can't remember the last time I've heard you refer to Taz as your Daddy.” She slapped herself on her forehead and said, “Wait a minute! Yes, I can! Just before your boyfriend shot you, you called Taz
Daddy
.”

“Would you stop that, Mama-Mama, and answer my question?”

“You know how that boy is, girl. If he don't call me, I don't bother him none. Why? What's wrong with you? You're missing your ‘Daddy'?” Mama-Mama teased.

Tazneema shrugged her slender shoulders slightly and said, “I'm just wondering why he hasn't called or come by, that's all.”

“Well, why don't you give him a call then?”

“I will. I'll call him in the morning. Right now I'm about to go to bed. I'm a little tired.”

“Humph! You bet' not be sneaking out of this house tonight. I know that much. You ain't completely healed yet, girl, and there is too much killin' goin' on out in them streets for you to be wandering around the town for some man.”

Tazneema laughed and said, “I'm not going anywhere tonight, Mama-Mama. Relax!”

Mama-Mama didn't respond. Instead she just smiled, because she knew Tazneema wouldn't be sneaking out of the house because she took the keys to her car and had them safely tucked in her bosom.

 

 

Bob and Gwen rolled all over the east side of the city looking for Hoover Crips, but all they saw were police cruisers. On almost every other block there was a police car either parked or patrolling the area. “Damn! Taz wasn't bullshittin'! The town is like super fuckin' hot.”

“Does that mean we can go back home now, baby?” Gwen asked nervously.

He smiled at his girl and said, “I guess so, scaredy cat. You gave a nigga a pretty good front back at the house, but I knew your ass was scared as fuck.”

“I never said anything about not being scared, Bob. I just refused to stay at home and watch you go out and act a damn fool without me by your side,” she said with a smile. She turned onto the Broadway Extension, headed back toward Bob's home and feeling relieved.

 

 

The next morning, Sacha woke Taz and said, “Baby, get up! The police are at the front door!” she said urgently.

Taz opened his eyes and said, “All right, Li'l Mama, I'm up! Don't panic. Everything is all good.” He climbed out of his bed and put on a pair of his pajama pants, slipped his feet into his Nike slippers and went downstairs to see what Oklahoma City's Finest wanted with him this early in the morning. When he opened the front door, he frowned and asked, “Yes, may I help you?”

“Good morning, Mr. Good. May we have a moment of your time please?” asked Detective Bean as he flashed Taz his badge to confirm what Taz already knew—the po-po was in the house.

Taz stepped aside and said, “Come on in.” They followed Taz into his living room. He smiled when he saw the look of awe in both of the detectives' faces as they looked around his luxurious home.

“Now, how may I help you two officers this morning?” Taz asked as he sat down on the sofa.

“Detectives,” said Detective Bean. “We've had several reports that you and some of your associates have staged a personal war against the Hoover Crips here in the city.”

“What? Do I look like a gang-banger, Detective? I think someone is playing with you all. Why would I have a problem with some Crips?”

“Maybe because they shot your close friend, Billy Trent, in his shoulder the other night outside of Club Cancun,” said Detective Bean.

“Or better yet, because they also shot and killed your other close friend, Reggie McClelland,” said the other detective.

“Come on, Mr. Good. We didn't come way out here to waste our time with you. Please, don't insult our intelligence,” said Detective Bean.

“Both of my friends were shot the other night at the club, but what makes you think that those Hoover Crip guys had something to do with it?”

“Would you let us do the questioning, Mr. Good?”

Taz smiled and said, “Go right ahead.”

Before either of the detectives could ask another question, they were interrupted by Sacha. She came into the living room dressed casually in a pair of Capri pants with a matching top. She smiled and said, “Excuse me, detectives, but I'm Mr. Good's attorney. If you have any questions for him, I'd prefer for you to go through me.”

Detective Bean smiled and asked her, “And your name is?”

“My name is Sacha Carbajal. I'm a partner at Whitney and Johnson.”

Detective Bean turned toward Taz and asked, “Is it routine for you to have your legal representation at your home this early in the morning, Mr. Good?”

Before Taz could answer his question, Sacha said, “I'm also Mr. Good's fiancée. Now, may we get to the bottom of this early-morning intrusion?”

“Sure. We have reason to believe that Mr. Good and some of his associates have retaliated on the Hoover Crips for the shooting death of Reggie McClelland and the shooting of Billy Trent. There have been ten homicides committed since that particular shooting outside of Club Cancun. We don't feel that it was a coincidence that every last person murdered was a Hoover Crip.”

“So, you have reason to believe that my client was involved, but do you have any proof of this?” Sacha sat down next to Taz.

“We don't have any witnesses, if that's what you mean. Like I just told you, they're all dead. We do have several bullet casings that we retrieved from the crime scenes. Before we go any further, do you happen to own any dogs, Mr. Good?” asked Detective Bean.

Taz smiled and said, “Yes, I do. I have two Dobermans. Why?”

“I was just wondering, because at one of the crime scenes it seems that the victims were attacked by dogs. We'll know for sure once their autopsies are completed.”

Taz started laughing and said, “So, you think I brought my dogs along with me to get revenge for my peoples? Come on, man! You gots to be kidding me! Look, you're reaching for straws and shit. I understand that you have a job to do, and I will do whatever I can to assist you. I have nothing whatsoever to hide. I want the guys that did this to my people caught and put
under
the jailhouse. Even though you coming to my home this early in the morning with these wild accusations should offend me, I'm not. So, if that's all, gentlemen, I have a funeral I have to start making arrangements for.”

“Do you own any weapons, Mr. Good?”

Taz stared directly at Detective Bean and answered, “Yes, I do. I'm a registered owner of a 9 mm Beretta.”

“Would you mind if we took your weapon back down to the station to have our forensics team check it out for any matches on the victims?”

“Just as long as you return it,” Taz said as he got up from the sofa and went back upstairs and grabbed his gun. He came back downstairs with the weapon in his left hand and the clip in his right. He then passed the gun to Detective Bean and said, “Here you go.”

After accepting the gun from Taz, Detective Bean smiled and said, “We'll be in touch, Mr. Good,”

With a laugh, Taz said, “Yeah, I bet you will. You two, have a nice day.”

After the detectives left, Sacha said, “You shouldn't be mocking them like that, Taz. They could cause you a lot of problems if they choose to.”

“Problems? Look, Li'l Mama. They don't have shit, and they know I know they don't have shit. Like they said, all of their potential witnesses are dead. They're tryin' to build a circumstantial case against me 'cause Bo-Pete and Wild Bill are my niggas. On top of the fact that somebody has heard a few rumors about our beef, that's it and that's all. They gots nothin', and I'm gon' make sure that it stays that way,” Taz said before he grabbed the phone and called Bob.

When Bob answered the phone, he told him, “Look, dog, I know you're salty at me right now, and I understand that, but the shit is thick right now, gee. Them people just left my spot talkin' like they knowin' somethin'. I really need you to stand down, homey, for real.”

“Yeah, the spot's hot, my nigga. I went on a run last night and saw that for myself.”

“You didn't put anything down, did you?”

“Nah, there was way too many of them black and whites on the block. I came back to the pad and laid it down.”

“Cool. We'll finish this, gee, but right now we gots to kick it for a minute.”

“What's up with Wild Bill?”

“They should be letting him out of the hospital some time this afternoon. Keno and Red are goin' to scoop him while I start getting Bo-Pete's funeral together. Might as well get ahead of the game, 'cause ain't no tellin' how long they're goin' to keep the body.”

“Yeah, that shit is crazy. You know how homicide gets down. Who's goin' to take care of the body?”

“Temple and Sons. You know they're the best in the city. Ain't nothin' but the best for my nigga. So, get that Armani out, 'cause we're all wearing the same suit we're burying Bo-Pete in.”