Out of Control (16 page)

“They fired you.”

“I wouldn’t put it quite that way, but that’s the way it worked out. So I knew it was time for me to move on. So I thought I’d come here and check things out.” The waitress returned with her drink. “So how’s business here?”

“Business has been very good since we took over the operation.”

“Wouldn’t be in the market for a great singer and dancer, would you?” Jacara asked and hoped he’d say yes.

Black pointed at the band. “I already got an act. And this really isn’t your type of venue. This is more of a dance club. You’re more of a sit down and drink singer.”

“I see,” Jacara said. She was disappointed, but she wasn’t about to beg for work by saying that she could sing anything. “I saw Michelle and Ms. Collins at the bazaar the other day. Did they tell you?”

“No,” Black lied “They didn’t mention seeing you there.”

“Michelle is getting so big.”

“Yes, she’s quite the little lady these days.”

“And congratulations on the baby,” Jacara said.

“Thank you,” Black said and saw Harry Walker and two of his men come though the door. Jamaica, Bobby and two more of Jamaica’s men approached him immediately. He looked at Jacara. “Look, Jacara. You know that you are more than welcome to stay on the island as long as you want and try to find work. But honestly, for reasons I’m sure you understand I would prefer that you didn’t.”

Jacara looked shocked.

“Now if you’d excuse me, I have a meeting to go to. Nice to see you Jacara.” Without another word, Black got up and walked quickly toward Harry Walker. Jacara watched and fought back her tears as the two men shook hands and Black led him to the office, followed closely by Bobby, Jamaica and Harry’s men. When the door closed, Jacara got up and all but ran out of The Grill. When she came in, Jacara had decided that she was going to take her chances and tell Black the truth. She felt it was better that he knew who she was and what she had done and hear it from her, instead of finding out about it from somebody else. Now, Jacara stood outside and wondered where she would go and what she would do next. She walked away knowing that her deadly secret would remain a secret.

“Have a seat, Harry.”

“Thank you,” Harry said and sat down.

“I was hoping that I’d have a chance to meet your lovely wife Deidra tonight. I’ve heard so much about her,” Black said with a smile on his face that made Harry wonder.

“I thought this was something the men should discuss. No need for woman to be involved,” Harry said and laughed nervously.

“You’re absolutely right. So let’s get to it. I’m glad that you decided to accept our invitation.”

“I wasn’t like you left me much choice,” Harry said.

“You always have a choice. That’s what life is all about. Choice. You can choose to do one thing or the other, but you choose to talk.”

“Look, Mon, I come here to make peace before things go any further.”

“I’m glad you made that decision, if you were willing to commit to violence you wouldn’t be sitting there.”

Black reached across the desk and extended his hand in friendship, but Harry got up and walked out. His men followed him out.

Bobby and Jamaica looked at them as they left, then they looked at Black. “Guess we don’t have a deal,” Bobby said.

“Was it something I said?” Black asked and started laughing.

When Harry got home he was on fire. He came in the house and started slamming doors. When Deidra heard the door slam, she knew things didn’t go well with Black. “What happened, Harry? Did they want more than twenty percent?”

“We didn’t even get to that,” Harry said and poured himself a drink. He drunk it and poured another.

“What do you mean, it didn’t get that far? What happened, Harry?”

“The man disrespected me.”

Deidra dropped her head. “How did he disrespect you?”

“He called me a coward. Said I was there because I was afraid to use violence.”

“And?”

Harry threw his glass against the wall. “I am not afraid!” he screamed. “If he want to play rough, I will show him that Harry Walker can play this game just as good as he can.”

“You’re gonna get us killed,” Deidra said as Harry walked out.

Later that night at Paraíso, Harry made his move. Two of his men approached the compound through the beach. Jada was alone in her office when there was a knock at the door. “Who is it?” Jada called.

“It’s Francine, Jada,” she said.

Jada got up from her desk to open the door. As usual, she was dressed impeccably in a Donna Karan cold shoulder wrap dress and Chloé lace-up suede ankle boots; accented by David Yurman diamond and sterling silver earrings and a Prasiolite diamond and sterling silver ring. Jada opened the door and Francine came in the office.

“What can I do for you, Francine?”

“Jada, is it all right if I take the rest of the night off?”

“Is everything all right?”

“Yeah, sure, everything is fine. I’m just a little tired that’s all,” Francine said.

Jada laughed a little. “Well, you’re the one that said she wanted to work doubles everyday.”

“I know, I know, but after two weeks straight I’m just a little worn out, if you know what I mean,” Francine laughed.

Jada held up her hand. “Say no more, honey. You get some rest, come back when you’re ready.”

“Thanks Jada.”

“Are you going to stay on the compound or are you trying to get outta here?”

“No, I’m just going to go to my room, have something to eat and crash,” Francine said on her way out the door. She went down stairs and stopped in the kitchen to see if she could get something to take with her.
 
“Hello, Richard.”

When Richard heard her voice he turned around quickly. He was the head chef for Paraíso and he thought that Francine was the most beautiful woman that he had ever seen. “Hello, Francine.” He was just about done for the night and was cleaning the kitchen before he went home.

“I was just wondering if there was anything left to eat?” Francine said. She knew how Richard felt about her, but she didn’t encourage him. Even though she thought he was a real cutie, Francine knew it wouldn’t be fair to lead him on.

“Have a seat my love and I will make you the best meal you ever tasted,” Richard promised.

“I don’t want to put you to any trouble, Richard.”

“No trouble at all. It would be my honor to cook for you.”

“No, really. I just wanted something light and quick.”

Richard thought for a second and opened the refrigerator. “I’ve got some shrimp salad. I could make you a sandwich.”

“That would be fine, Richard thank you,” Francine said and sat down while Richard made what he promised would be the best shrimp salad sandwich she ever had. When he was done, Richard insisted that he had to see her safely to her room. “You don’t have to do that, Richard. I’m just going across the compound.” But he wouldn’t accept no for an answer.

As they walked across the compound, Francine saw Harry’s men near one of the buildings. “Those men shouldn’t be there,” she said to Richard.

“Hey!” Richard shouted. “What are you doin’ there?”

One of Harry’s men stood up and pointed a gun. “Look out Richard, he’s got a gun!” she yelled.

While Harry’s other man poured gasoline around the building, the other took a shot at Richard, but he missed. The shot hit Francine and she fell to the ground.

Jada came out on the balcony to see what was going on.
 
Harry’s man set the building on fire and began to run. The other fired shots at Richard and he ran for cover. Jada saw Francine laying there and called to her. “Francine!”

Harry’s man opened fire on Jada, but he missed her too. She ducked and ran inside. Harry’s men didn’t get very far. They were both shot before they could leave the grounds.

After Harry left The Grill, Black picked up the phone and dialed a number. “Hello, a female voice answered.

“I need to talk to you,” Black said.

“When?” she asked.

“Now. At The Grill,” Black said and hung up.

Thirty minutes later, Vonetta stuck her head in the door once again. “Sorry to bother you, Mr. Black, but there’s a woman out here that would like to speak to you.”

“Thank you, Vonetta. I’ll be right out.”

Black got up and came out on the floor and this time Deidra Walker was waiting for him. When Harry refused to take the deal, Deidra came to The Grill and talked to Black. She promised Black that she could get Harry to change his mind and accept the offer. After Harry said he would do it, she returned to The Grill and made a deal with Black to give them a few days to make some money before he stuck his hand in. “What happened, Deidra?” Black said as soon as he sat down.

“I don’t know what happened,” Deidra replied and shook her head.

“You sat right there, Deidra and assured me that you had him under control.”

“We talked about it and he was good with it, but when he came back he said you called him a coward.”

“I never called him a coward.”

“Something about him being unwilling to use violence.”

Black sat back and thought for a minute. “Did he say what he was gonna do?”

“No. He just walked out. I don’t know where he went.”

“Okay. Come with me,” Black got up and led Deidra to the office. He handed her two thousand dollars. “Here’s what I want you to do. I want you to go to Miami, and check into a hotel. Call me when you get there and let me know where you’re staying. Give me your phone.”

Deidra dug in her purse and pulled out her phone. She handed it to Black and he dropped it on the floor. After he crashed the phone, he looked at Deidra. “You don’t talk to anybody and if I hear that you called Harry I’ll kill you Deidra. You understand?”

“I understand.”

“You go to Miami, relax, do some shopping and wait for my call. You work for me now,” Black said and opened the door to the office.

“When can I come back?”

“I’ll let you know.” Black walked up to Jamaica. “Get someone to take Mrs. Walker to the airport and see that she gets on the last flight to Miami.”

“You got it,” Jamaica said and walked off.

“Thank you, Mike,” Deidra said and followed Jamaica. She was glad that for her it was over. She was sad for Harry, but he should have listened to her and took the deal Black was going to offer him. Now it was too late for him. Deidra didn’t know what Black planned to do with Harry and as she rode away from The Grill she tried not to think about.

Black went back in his office and found his phone ringing. He expected it to be CeCe, because she was the only one who called that number. “Hello, baby,” he answered.

“I need you,” Jada said crying.

“Ms. West?”

“Yes. It’s me.”

“Clam down, Ms. West and tell me what’s wrong,” he asked as Bobby and Jamaica came into the office.

Jada took a breath and tried to pull it together. “We had a problem at the compound tonight.”

“What happened?”

“Two men set fire to one of the buildings. But they were able to put it out before it did much damage.”

“Was anybody hurt?”

“They shot one of the girls. She’s dead,” Jada said and started to cry again.

“Are you all right?”

“I’m a little shaken up. He took a shot at me too, but I’m fine.”

“Who’s with you?”

“Alex is with me.”

“Okay, you tell him to take you to Sandyport and stay with you until I get there.”

“Make sure you tell him that it was Harry’s men who do this thing,” Alex said in the background.

“Mike, Alex said to be sure that you know that it was somebody named Harry that is responsible for this,” Jada said.

“I understand. Go on now, and I’ll be there soon,” Black said and hung up the phone. He looked at Jamaica. “I want you to get as many men as you need and go around to all of Harry’s spots. You take all the money and then burn them down.”

“What?” Jamaica asked.

“I said burn the mutha fuckas to the ground!” Black yelled.

“What happened, Mike?” Bobby asked.

“Harry’s men set one of the buildings on fire at Paraíso. Killed one of the girls and took a shot at Ms. West.”

“Took a shot at Ms. West? He done fucked up now,” Bobby said.

“I’m on it,” Jamaica said and started to leave the office.

“Jay, when you’re done you find Harry and you call me. Don’t do anything to him, you just call me.”

“Understood,” Jamaica said and left the office.

“Bobby, you’re with me,” Black said and followed Jamaica out.

“Where else would I be?”

When Black arrived at Sandyport he knocked on the door and Alex let him in. “You sure it was Harry’s men that did this?”