Echoes of a Distant Summer (104 page)

“Please, dear, if you don’t mind.” Serena, placing a hand on his shoulder, bent down and asked in Jackson’s ear, “Will you say grace and carve the chickens and the roast?”

Jackson turned toward her and suppressed a look of surprise. He was unaccustomed to her touch and her closeness. “Of course, Grandmother, when do you need me?”

“In twenty minutes or so. And please, I’d appreciate it if you’d call me ‘Grandma’; it’s much less formal. I’ve begun to like informality in my old age.” Serena smiled and gave Jackson a kiss on the forehead. She walked into the dining room arm in arm with Samantha.

Franklin was waiting for her with a frown on his face. “What’s all this stuff with that stranger? You take him in like he’s family! Hell, he acts like he’s king of the roost here!”

Serena replied without rancor, “He is. He’s a Tremain. He’s my son.”

Franklin was incredulous. “What? I don’t understand you all of a sudden! As far as I know, you had only two sons and both of those are dead!”

Serena sighed. She didn’t want to slip back into her old habits of condescension and sarcasm, but it was difficult with Franklin. She said in a kindly tone, “ ‘As far as you know’ is an apt description of your knowledge in this area. Let it go, and accept him as your uncle.”

Franklin sputtered, “He’s no uncle to me! I’m not taking in some stranger and all his children!”

Serena was exhausted with the discussion. She said more firmly, “You don’t have to take him in, and if you don’t like what’s going on in this house, you don’t have to stay. You’re free to go.”

At this point, Samantha interjected, “I’m going into the kitchen to help Mrs. Marquez. Victoreen, would you like to lend a hand?”

Victoreen sucked her teeth and said haughtily, “I don’t do kitchen work! I got my nails to think about!”

As she headed into the kitchen Samantha retorted, “Too bad your brain isn’t held in the same esteem as your fingers.”

A frown crossed Victoreen’s face. “What did she say?”

Franklin ignored his wife and continued with his grandmother. “This new attitude of yours is going to make it difficult when we file our legal suit against the will.”

Serena was surprised. “What suit? I don’t plan to file any suit!”

Now it was Franklin’s turn to be surprised. “You mean the way that Jackson got everything doesn’t bother you? I mean, he had all his friends here. His friends! And he promised them millions of dollars! He’s giving money to Chinks and—”

“That will be enough! I won’t have that type of language spoken in my house!”

Franklin laughed sarcastically. “This isn’t your house! The reading of the will gave the house to Jackson!”

Serena drew herself up and said politely, “I told him that I wanted to continue living here, so he gave the house to me.”

“You’re going to live here? In this mausoleum? This is too big for you!”

“Elroy and I both plan to live here. This will be the family seat. All the major gatherings and holidays will take place here, as I first imagined it when King and I bought this house.”

Franklin was aghast. “But I thought my family would take it over! It would be perfect for us and the three kids!”

Serena looked at Franklin with both love and sadness. The world could not be changed. Franklin was going to be like his selfish, self-centered father. He was doomed to run afoul of the stronger members of his family. She said softly, “I was under the impression that Pacific Heights was where you wanted to be.”

“This Fulton Street neighborhood is coming back now, and I wasn’t able to buy the size I needed over there.”

Victoreen added, “Once they move the nigger element totally out around here, the prices will skyrocket. We’ll be sitting pretty then.”

“Well, you will never be living in this house now! Accept it and go on. And Victoreen, don’t ever use that word in this house again!”

“Don’t you see?” Franklin was excited. “We don’t have to accept the will. We file a suit and tie up everything for years. He’ll have to settle with us!”

“I told you and it’s final! I don’t plan to be a party in any suit! I will not challenge the will!”

A look of cunning spread across Franklin’s face. “What else did he give you? How did he buy you off?”

“How dare you! This conversation is terminated.” Serena started to turn away but Franklin’s next remark caused her to turn back.

“I know people who want to get rid of him permanently! They came to me! I guess I’ll have to contact them now.”

Serena walked over and stood face-to-face with her grandson. “Don’t you understand that for the will to be read in this house, all of King’s enemies had to be dead? Jackson has disposed of every one of them! If you start something like that with him, I won’t be able to protect you. And believe me, if he turns on you, you won’t be here long! Take my advice, accept things the way they are.”

Franklin’s greed spurred him on. “What about Braxton? He said he knew people that would take him out!”

Serena nodded then said with resignation, “Try and find him, then, if that’s what you want to do. But understand, you’re digging your own grave.” Serena turned away and walked down the hall to her bedroom suite. She needed a moment’s respite. She had been tempted to tell Franklin that Braxton would never be seen again, but that would’ve revealed too much. Serena went and stood in front of her bathroom mirror and touched up her makeup. Her trip out to Half Moon Bay two days ago was a secret that no one knew. She had learned of Braxton’s whereabouts from Samantha in casual conversation several days earlier. Samantha had indicated that the woman she was seeing worked as Braxton’s secretary and they had planned a trip to Yosemite together, but had to cancel because Braxton needed her to make arrangements for a long trip overseas. Samantha had, with some apprehension, revealed that Braxton was being unusually secretive about his being in Half Moon Bay. But the key for Serena had been when Samantha had mentioned that Braxton wanted large amounts of money transferred.

Serena picked up a vial of perfume and dabbed traces on her wrists and neck. She studied her face in the mirror. It looked no different from the way it had a few days earlier. It was lined with her mistakes and fears, but her dealings with Braxton hadn’t changed it. She had known from the very moment she heard about the money that Braxton was trying to escape and regroup. She knew that she could not let him make another attempt to destroy her family. Serena liked and valued what
she now possessed and would give her life to maintain it. With Elroy in the house, Jackson and Elizabeth had started dropping by regularly and often they stayed for dinner. Sometimes she and Elizabeth joined Mrs. Marquez in the kitchen to prepare a specifically requested dish, and they would end up laughing and talking, almost forgetting what they had wanted to prepare. It was the most joyous time Serena could remember since her early days in Oklahoma. However, with this joy came the intuitive understanding that she could’ve had this same feeling decades earlier if she had but made a different decision. It had taken a life of tragedy, but she had truly learned that life was worth nothing without the investment of time and love in family and friends.

If Braxton escaped there was always the chance that he would make another try to destroy her family. To forestall such an occurrence, Serena had taken the nickel-plated .357 Magnum that King had given her out of its box. She hadn’t picked up the gun since she had first taken Jackson to Mexico all those years ago. It was heavy in her hand as she had carried it to her car.

The drive to the coast had been rather arduous. Frankly, neither her eyesight nor her reflexes were up to the task, but she had arrived safely. She had been to Braxton’s house in Half Moon Bay many years ago and, surprisingly, she remembered the way without problems. There was shock in Braxton’s eyes when he had first opened the door. He almost dropped his crutches. He didn’t even bother to beg. He just stepped back from the door. Serena entered the house and closed the door behind her. She pointed the gun at Braxton’s chest and fired once. Braxton had fallen over backward. Serena walked to see where she had hit him. It was a messy wound just under the heart, but it was clear that Braxton was not going to survive the injury. Serena had stood over him and uttered, “That was for the Tremain family! For King, LaValle, and Jacques!” Then she had turned and driven back to San Francisco. She had taken the gun that had been used once and once only and given it to Jackson to discard. He didn’t ask her any questions, he merely nodded and said he would take care of it. Serena knew she wasn’t a saint, but she was ready to make any sacrifice to protect those she loved.

Jackson was standing by the mantel listening to Nora Fontenot tell stories to the gathering about her experiences as a public health nurse when Carlos came over, tapped him on the shoulder, and whispered, “They’re ten minutes away. Can we meet downstairs?”

Jackson nodded and walked out to the hallway. He opened the double
doors that led down to his grandfather’s old office in the basement. The room was unchanged from the time Jackson was a child. There was still a full-sized bar and pool table at the back, and a huge rolltop desk in an alcove opposite the stairs and a large card table surrounded by chairs up near the front of the house. It had its own entrance in the wall adjacent to the alcove. As they descended the stairs Jackson asked, “Are these people aware that I don’t want to continue selling guns and ammunition?”

“No, and I didn’t see any reason to tell them. They sent a substantial down payment three months ago. There have been some delays in delivery and now their representatives want to meet the man who took over El Negro’s organization. All you have to do is assure them that everything will be done to get them their shipment as soon as possible. The meeting will be quite short.”

“Is that true? Everything’s being done?”

“I wouldn’t tell you if it wasn’t. Lying isn’t part of my business.”

“Okay, I’m ready to go. Let them in when they get here.”

Carlos put his hand on Jackson’s shoulder and advised, “You might consider getting a place in Atlanta since that’s one of the major airports that we ship out of. It would help you keep better tabs on the operation.”

Jackson shook his head. “Why? I don’t want to get any more involved with running guns than I have to.”

“Maybe I ought to tell you that our principal competitor is Oswaldo San Vicente, Francisco’s older brother.”

“The one who’s sworn to kill me?”

“The very same. He’s watching you for signs of weakness. He’s afraid to move on you now because of what happened to his brother, but like your grandfather used to say, ‘he’s talking smack’ in underworld circles.”

Jackson asked, “Well, I can’t afford to lose business to him, can I?” Carlos shook his head and stared back at him meaningfully. Jackson winnowed his intent and asked with resignation, “Will I have to kill this San Vicente too? When will all this be over?”

“It’ll never be over. The San Vicentes have allies and as you grow stronger, more enemies will appear. Then there’s the Gaxiolas. Oswaldo’s been telling them that it was you that attacked their compound. And don’t forget the DiMarcos, because I assure you they haven’t forgotten you. You need to remain strong and maintain a trained and dedicated corps of soldiers.”

“A dedicated corps of soldiers? You’ve mentioned this before. Isn’t it expensive?”

“That’s why your grandfather was in the military-hardware business. It’s the only thing outside of drugs that can pay that type of money. It’s your major revenue generator.”

Jackson conceded, “Okay, I’ll find a house in Atlanta. At least the DuMonts are no more.”

“Don’t count on it! El Negro thought he had wiped them out two or three times. It’s a big family. That’s why the feud has lasted over a hundred years.”

“You’re full of bright news.”

“It’s my job.”

There was a tapping at the exterior door and Carlos went to answer it. Tavio and Diego ushered in two men from southern Mexico. Introductions were made and then everyone sat down at the card table. Jackson produced a bottle of añejo tequila and poured shots around. He reiterated what Carlos had said and gave his word that their shipment would be given the highest priority. He was a little surprised when they stood up to leave after one drink, but they thanked him respectfully and were escorted to the door by Tavio and Diego. Before leaving one of the men shook his hand and said, “Gracias, El Negro.”

Jackson gripped the man’s hand and merely nodded in response. After they had left he commented to Carlos, “That was quick.”

“I told you they just wanted to see you. Now they will go back to their people and say you look just like El Negro and their money is safe.”

“How do they know?”

“You forget, you have history in Mexico. Francisco San Vicente’s demise is widely discussed. Plus, there are many who remember the fight in the pit and many more who have heard about it. They know you are El Negro’s heir, that you will honor his memory. That is why he called you El Negro.”

“I never thought of myself as ever taking my grandfather’s place, much less honoring his memory. But I have to admit that my opinions have changed regarding the old man. Well, Carlos, I guess the last thing to do is figure out how get ahold of those lost certificates. I’m certainly not looking forward to going into San Francisco’s sewer system. I wonder why there was no mention of it in the will.”

“Now that the will has been read, I must give you something and
it may answer your questions about the certificates.” Carlos stood up and went to an old leather satchel and pulled out a wooden box with an envelope taped to the top. He brought it over and handed it to Jackson.

“Portugas cigars! My grandfather’s favorite! I don’t know why, but lately I’ve been thinking about smoking one of these.”

“Before you open the cigars, you should open this first.” Carlos handed Jackson a smaller box made of highly polished cherry wood.

Jackson took the box and gave Carlos a questioning look.

“Open it,” Carlos urged.

Jackson pulled off the cover and there, lying on blue velvet, was a white feather tipped with black. Jackson was speechless. He looked at Carlos.