Tears of a Hustler 2 (8 page)

“Ninty-nine, a hundred,” Ali huffed out of breath as he got up from doing some push-ups. Ali stretched his arms, and then splashed some water on his face when he heard a light tapping on his cell door. When he turned around he saw Ms. Ruby standing admiring him.

“I’m surprised you remembered my name,” Crystal blushed. “Did you finish those books yet?”
“Yeah both of them shits were fire.”
“I told you, you would like em,” Crystal said, checking out how good Ali looked in his wife beater. “Can I tell you something?” She asked in a little schoolgirl voice.
“Yeah, what up?”
“I’m so embarrassed.”
“Embarrassed about what?” Ali asked, moving towards the cell door.
“I feel so silly telling you this, but I had the biggest crush on you.”
“You knew me before I came here?” Ali asked.
“Nah, I didn’t know you. I’m from Buffalo.” She chuckled. “But when I go clubbing, me and my girlsalways go to the city. One night I was at the club with my home girl and you and your crew strolled up in there like ya’ll ownedthe place. The first time I saw you, I knew I wanted you.”
“So why you ain’t holla at me?”
“I was scared. Most high status guys like to disrespect women and I thought you were just like the rest, but when I spoke to you last month when I brought you those books, I found out you were different.”
“Nah, I would never disrespect a black queen, unless she’s asking to be disrespected you dig?”
“Yeah, I feel you. I’m just upset I had to finally meet you like this,” Crystal said, looking in Ali’s eyes.
“Yeah me too,” Ali quickly looked away.
“When do you get out the box?”
“Next week finally,” Ali replied gladly.
“That’s good news, I gotta get outta here, but I guess I’ll be seeing you around,” Crystal said in a seductivetone.
“I guess so,” Ali said, returning her stare.
“Catch you later,” Crystal said as she spun on her heels and walked off.
Once Ms. Ruby was gone, Ali threw some more cold water on his face to try to calm his hormones down. Ali felt bad for flirting with another woman. He knew it wasn’t right, but the dog in him tried to convince him that flirting wasn’t cheating. After 20 minutes of recking his brain, Ali laid on his bunk until he drifted off to sleep.

Detective Nelson pulled up in front of the addresshe had for Big Mel, with three officer dressed in street clothes along with him. Each man had a murderous look on their face, as they approached the apartment building.
“Whoever get the shot on this cocksucker first, take it,” Detective Nelson ordered, as he removed his .357 from its holster as the foursome entered the building. Detective Nelson eased along the wall holding his .357 with two hands as he gave the other officers a silent signal with his hands.

Detective Bradley shot the lock off the door, then placed his back against the wall as the two plain clothes soldiers ran in the apartment, followed by Detective Nelson. After a quick search the officers found that the apartment was empty.

“Its all clear,” Detective Bradley yelled, holding his shotgun.
“What do we do now boss?” One of the officers asked.
“Send a message,” Detective Nelson said with a sharp edge in his voice.
The three officers looked on as Detective Nelson pulled a lighter from his pocket. With a light flick, the first thing Detective Nelson set on fire was the curtains followed by the kitchen table cloth, and the old looking sofa. Before the flames could maximize, Detective Nelson and his officers smoothly made their exit.
“This is just the beginning,” Detective Nelson said heatedly as he pulled out unto traffic. “I’m going to make this cocksucker suffer,” he continued his rant.
“I told you, you should of never started doing business with those animals. These fucking guys would sell crack to their own family members, no way you can trust guys like that,” Detective Bradley spoke openly.
“This is not about trust, it’s about money,” Detective Nelson said, giving Det. Bradley a private glare. “Money talks and bullshit walks a marathon.”
“You right about that,” Det. Bradley agreed.
Detective Nelson got ready to say something else, but his ringing cell phone momentarily paused the conversation. “Yeah who’s this?” He answered.
“This is the captain speaking, where’s location?” He asked.
“Not far, I’m cruising through Harlem right now. Why what’s up?” Detective Nelson chimed as he slowed down for the yellow light.
“Get to the station A.S.A.P. I need to have a word with you. It’s urgent,” the Captain said in a stern voice.
“I’m on my way,” Detective Nelson said, ending the conversation. Twenty minutes later, he strolled confidently inside the precinct snacking on a glazed donut.
“The Captain wants to see you in his office,” the desk officer said the minute he laid eyes on Detective Nelson.
“I’m heading that way now,” Detective Nelson replied with a smile. As soon as he stepped in the office, he saw the Captain sitting back in his chair with a nasty look on his face.
“Hey what’s up Captain? What’s so important that it couldn’t wait until later?” He asked as he helped himself to a seat.
“We have a problem,” the Captain said in a low tone.
“What else is new?”
“No, we have a serious problem,” the Captain said, turning to face Detective Nelson. “Your friend Gerald has got to go.”
“Who, G-money?” Detective Nelson asked intensely.
“Yes G-money,” the Captain answered swiftly, letting the name roll off his tongue.
“Why? Ali is already behind bars. I got a medal for that collar. What is that not good enough?”
“Listen a lot of people want this guy fried, a lot of heavy hitters if you know what I mean,” the Captain said, raising an eyebrow.
“I thought the F.E.D.S. were already building a case on that cocksucker?”
“They are, but they’re taking too long. My people are upset because they haven’t been able to get shit on him.”
“Bullshit, he goes to court in two months. He’s bound to get three and a half years tops,” Detective Nelson said, his voice sounding very firm and sure of it.
“Fuck three and a half years! The people over myhead want this guy either in a cell with no key or in a fucking bag,” the Captain said with a lot of emotion. “They’re really upset because Ali wouldn’t give up no information on nobody in his organization, not to mention somebody else from their organization just got arrested and didn’t say a word.”
“What’s the guy’s name who just got arrested?” Detective Nelson asked.
“If I’m not mistaking I think it was Skippy or Skipper.”
“Skip, yeah I know him,” Detective Nelson chuckled. “So what do you need me to do?”
“I need you to take G-money down like you did Ali, but I would appreciate it if you put a bullet in his head.”
“But he’s no longer a factor. Their dynasty is done.” Detective Nelson said, sitting up in his chair.
“It doesn’t matter. The people over my head want him dead, and I’m over your head, and I want you to kill this cocksucker by any means necessary; no questions asked,” the Captain said, laying seven big stacks of money on his desk. “So what’s it going to be?”
Detective Nelson chuckled as he stuffed the stacks of money in his jacket pocket and made his exit.
The F.E.D.S. stood on the roof taking pictures of Gmoney and the warehouse he held his meetings at.
G-money slid out of his Range Rover and looked over both shoulders as his construction Timberlands sunkinto the fresh white snow. As G-money headed towards the entrance, the wind whined louder and began to flutter the collar of his jacket. “Damn its fucking brick out here,” he said blowingon his hands in an attempt to keep them warm.
“What’s good my niggaz?” G-money said as he entered the warehouse. “Let’s get straight down to business,” he said, rubbing his hands together greedily. “We got the new product ready. Now I need all of ya’ll to get out and spread the word that we’re back and we ain’t going nowhere; you dig?” He paced the floor. “Give out some samples to the main customers so the word can spread faster.”
“Don’t even worry about it. You know I’mma get the hood back poppin again,” Knowledge boasted.
“Oh yeah and make sure ya’ll watch ya steps, cause the word on the streets is the F.E.D.S. are trying to builda case on us, or should I say me,” G-money chuckled. “Just hold it down out there in them streets,” he said as he watched as his crew all exited from the back of the house going to handle their business.
“What ya’ll doing here?” G-money asked, lookingat Roy and Bumpy.
“Pauleena asked us to follow you around, just to make sure you don’t have any unnecessary problems if you know what I mean,” Roy grinned devilishly.
“Why you think I keep this guy around for?” G-money said, nodding his head towards Knowledge.
“Not my business, I work for Pauleena and she told me and Bumpy to make sure we keep you out of harms way,” Roy replied.
“Fuck it more muscle won’t hurt,” G-money shrugged his shoulders.
“When shit pop off, I just hope ya’ll be on point,” Knowledge said, talking indirectly.
“We shoot first and ask questions never,” Roy replied flashing a mouth full of gold.
“Fuck all this thinking shit. Let’s go to the club and celebrate,” G-money told his crew as each man headed out the door.
“So how do you feel knowing that any day the F.E.D.S. can pick you up?” Roy asked.
“Fuck the F.E.D.S!” G-money barked. “All cops are stupid. They’re only as good as their snitch; if muthafuckas didn’t run they mouths every time they get locked up, shit would be sweet right now.”
“True story,” Knowledge added as he turned onto the highway.
“Oh shit,” G-money said out loud as he pulled out his cell phone and quickly dialed a number. On the third ring, a woman with a soft voice answered. “Hello?”
“Nancy what’s up? This G-money, you busy?”
“Nah, I’m up fooling around with this baby,” she said in a stressed tone. “Why? What’s up?”
“I was just calling to see if you were still going to see Ali tomorrow?”
“Of course I am. You know he just got out of thebox today so I gotta bring him his snacks and shit,” Nancy said as she cradled the phone between her ear and shoulder.
“A’ight, when I get home tonight, remind me to give you five gees to put on his books.”
“I’ll remind you if I’m still awake when you get in, cause you know how late you be coming in sometimes,” Nancy reminded him.
“Yeah, I be knowing. Tell you what, when I get in I’mma put the money on the kitchen table a’ight?”
“Okay, that’s cool.”
“Oh yeah, did Coco call the house?” G-money asked, trying not to sound thirsty.
“No. I don’t know why you trying to be so tough. Just call the girl, damn! You know you want to,” Nancy said, putting G-money on the spot.
“Come on you know I can’t do that,” G-money pressed. “I know that’s your friend but she be bugging.”
“Sometimes love make people act a lil crazy, butyou know that girl loves you and I know you love her.”
“I do but she gotta understand in this kind of business, I need a girl who is understanding and will always hold me down no matter what happens. In the back of my mind, I need to know that she’ll be there no matter what.”
“Well it’s kinda hard to ask for all that when you got bitches blowing up your house phone. Then on top of that, the bitch got the nerve to be poppin shit,” Nancy saidsternly.
“But that comes along with the business; smell me? She know none of them bitches, don’t mean shit to me,”G-money said defensively. “But yo, we going to speak more about this later a’ight?”
“A’ight later,” Nancy said as she ended the conversation.
Knowledge pulled up in the club’s parking lot and tapped the horn twice trying to get the attention of a pack of sexy looking ladies. “What’s good Mami?” He yelled, with his head hung half way out the window. The ladies smiled but kept it moving.
“Catch ‘em when you get inside,” G-money said out loud.
“You know I am,” Knowledge replied as he placed the gear in park and let the engine die.
As soon as the foursome stepped foot in the club, they quickly got attacked by the heat mixed with the smell of strong weed. G-money quickly made his way to the V.I.P. section, where he sent the nice looking waitress to the bar to get him two bottles of champagne. G-money came out to celebrate and that’s just what he planned on doing. His crew was out setting shop back up; he had the best connect in town so he planned on getting fucked up, especially since he had extra muscle with him.
“Good looking ma,” G-money yelled over the blaring music as the waitress handed him two bottles of champagne burried in a bucket of ice. He poured himself a glass of champagne and lit up a blunt as he bobbed his headto the tunes the D.J. was playing.
“Get the fuck outta here,” G-money chuckled as he noticed two white guys wearing suites and dark shades slowly walking past the
V.I.P. section. “Yo these fucking crackers must think we ain’t got no kind of sense,” he said, nudging Bumpy.
“They must want you bad,” Bumpy replied.
“People always want what they can’t have, especially cops,” G-money said, pointing his middle finger up to the two agents.
“You might have to fuck around and leave town for a little while,” Bumpy said, not liking the looks of the agents.
“If they had anything on me, they wouldn’t be following me around all fucking day,” G-money said, sipping on his champagne. “Fuck the F.E.D.S! They can suck a dickwith aids on the tip!” He erupted into laughter.
G-money’s laugh quickly turned into a frown as he saw Coco moving through the crowd with a group of men.“That fucking bitch!” G-money growled as all his thoughts turned into anger, as rage flashed in his eyes.
Five minutes later, Knowledge entered the V.I.P. section. “Yo, I just saw Coco with that boxing cat who knocked Spanky out over there,” he said pointing.
“Who, The Terminator?” G-money asked, shooting to his feet.
“Yup,” Knowledge said, adding fuel to the fire. Without thinking twice, G-money left his V.I.P. section andheaded to where The Terminator, Coco, and his entourage sat enjoying themselves.
“What the fuck is you doing?” G-money growled as he approached the group’s table. Two of The Terminator’s bouncers made to get up, but The Terminator held them steady.
“I’m having some drinks with a few friends,” Coco huffed. “What’s the big deal?”
“Listen,” G-money paused. “Get ya ass up. We going home!”
“Nah, I’m chilling, I just got here,” Coco said slyly.
“Get ya ass up and let’s go!” G-money snarled.
“My dude, the lady said she don’t want to go with you,” The Terminator said, getting up from his seat.
“What!” G-money’s face crumbled up instantly. “This my bitch,” he said as he grabbed Coco up out her seatby her hair.
The Terminator quickly charged G-money, but Knowledge quickly stepped in between the two as he attempted to bust a Corona bottle over The Terminator’s head. The Terminator partially blocked the bottle and countered with a quick sharp uppercut that dropped the street thug instantly.
Roy quickly pulled out his p89 and roughly pushed Gmoney and Coco towards the exit. When Bumpy saw thescuffle break out, he didn’t hesitate to pull his .45 fromhis waistband. He immediately aimed his firearm at the man’s head,who just knocked Knowledge out. Bumpy partially squeezed the trigger, but held up when he remembered the F.E.D.S were in the building. He knew if he murdered the man in the club, it would definitely fall back on G-money. Bumpy had to make a decision and make it quick. Not sure what to do, Bumpy quickly took his aim off of the stranger’s head and raised the gun to the ceiling and let off four thunderous shots in rapid succession. Immediately, everybody in the club ducked down when they heard the shots ring out. A stampede quickly broke out as innocent club goers climbed over one another trying to squeeze out the exit.
Once all hell broke loose, Bumpy grabbed Knowledge and did his best to get him to safety. Knowledge lost and regained his vision at least two times as Bumpy helped him to the exit. Right before the two could reach the exit, the two agents quickly blocked their path. “Freeze!” One of the agents yelled.
Bumpy quickly pushed Knowledge to the floor as he raised his pistol. Before he could get it past his waist, the two agents had already opened fired on the ugly man. The shots quickly lifted Bumpy off his feet. But before he hit the wet club floor, he managed to get one shot off. The shot shattered one of the agent’s collarbone, sending him crashing to the floor howling in pain.
Bumpy hit the floor, shook once, and then died. Knowledge laid on the floor next to Bumpy. All he could do was watching Bumpy’s life drain from his body.
“Don’t fucking move!” The agent yelled as he aimed his pistol in Knowledge’s face, holding it with two hands. “Turn over on your stomach,” the agent ordered as he hand cuffed Knowledge, then gave him a quick pat down. “You got a license for this?” He asked, removing the Glock from Knowledge’s waistband. Knowledge didn’t respond. He was a loud nigga, but he knew when to keep his mouth shut.