Thin Ice 4 - Resurrections (9 page)

Tariq told her day after tomorrow and Kaitlyn again nodded wordlessly.

“
I want something to eat,” she told Tariq rising.

He smiled thinking that was a good sign, taking her hand and leading her to the kitchen where he would prepare her a steak with the works.

“
Do you think she suffered, Tariq,” Kaitlyn asked as he cooked their dinner.

Sighing softly, Tariq told her he doubted it.

“
She would have passed out from the oxygen deprivation,” he told Kaitlyn as she nodded slightly, happy for that much.

“
I’m going to miss her so much,” she added almost inaudibly before breaking down and sobbing deeply.

Turning off the stove, Tariq came and hugged her again, letting her pour out her hurt and loss one more time.

Part II : The Arrivals

9

Ian smiled as he looked around the airport. He hadn’t been home for a long time. Smiling still as he exited, Ian hailed a cab and gave him the address, sitting back and enjoying the scenery along the way. He thought about his time away, his time in the hospital, the bullets put into his body. Ian thought about the smug look on Tariq’s face as he planted that .380 slug into his head, a portion of which still remained.
Well let’s see how smug that bastard is when I return the favor,
Ian thought ominously as the driver got onto the interstate and continued driving. Ian’s thoughts immediately turned to Kaitlyn finding out exactly what was going on with her. He was going to have Pirate get his friend to press DeNoah harder for answers.
I have a few other avenues to exploit as well,
he continued to brood. He and Kaitlyn had been apart far too long, Ian’s mind told him.
She’s my destiny and I’m damned tired of Tariq trying to make her his,
Ian thought angrily as the cab driver announced they’d reached his destination.

Shaking the thoughts, Ian exited the cab and paid the driver, adding a handsome tip. The man smiled and thanked him profusely as he finally drove away. Walking inside his home Robert was there to greet him.

“
How was your flight,” he asked amiably as Ian assured him it was fine.

“
You have everything in order the way I requested,” he asked as the attorney assured him he did.

“
Here are all your credit cards, bank cards and account information,” Robert told him, passing the manila envelope to him.

“
Good job,” Ian replied making himself a drink from the fully stocked bar. “What have you found out about Kaitlyn,” he asked, sitting and waiting for the attorney to speak.

“
This was extremely hard to come by,” he told Ian handing him a thick file folder.

“
I knew if anyone could do it, you could,” Ian assured him as he put the file down beside him. He would read it thoroughly once he was alone. “Jalen is due today,” he told Robert who voiced his acknowledgement. “Do you have the paperwork for him as well,” Ian asked as the attorney handed it over. “You do excellent work,” Ian replied once more as Robert rose to leave. “I’ll be in touch in a few days,” Ian threw out as the attorney nodded once more and left the man’s presence.

*****

Mook and Tariq greeted each other as they came inside the house at his invitation.

“
You guys just get here,” he asked as he hugged Kim lightly as well.

Mook told him they hit the city only about an hour ago.

“
OK, then let me get keys and such so you guys can go get settled and relax for a while,” Tariq replied as Mook thanked him.

Kaitlyn came into the room moments later and greeted them both. Kim could tell the woman was under duress. She looked like the weight of the world was on her shoulders.
Thank god for medication,
Kim thought to herself scared Kaitlyn would relapse and deadly Lauren Cisneros would be standing in their presence again. Everyone else seemed to forget that part when talking about the abuse of her father, but Kim hadn’t. She knew Carlo Cisneros to be deadly and he’d taught his daughter to be just as deadly.
Please don’t ever let that side of her surface or we’re all fucked,
Kim continued to brood as Kaitlyn invited them into the den and offered everyone a drink.

Kim soon let her trepidation go as they all began to laugh and talk. Tariq started the grill and they had lunch together, enjoying the fabulous porterhouse cuts that were served.

“
Where’s your son,” Kaitlyn asked casually.

Kim told her he was with relatives, not elaborating. Kaitlyn simply sighed and let the conversation go. They continued to talk about other things until Mook rose saying he wanted to get to the house and get settled. Kim was definitely thankful to be leaving. While she didn’t dislike Kaitlyn anymore, the woman still unnerved her. There was something very cold, very dark, and very sinister about her at times.
The woman’s bestfriend just died, cut her some slack,
Kim’s mind threw out. She felt immediately remorseful, but still kept her guard slightly up. Tariq gave them the key, directions, and told them to do whatever they wanted to the house. Kim saw him pull Mook aside, pretty sure giving him instructions on their next meeting. She didn’t speak on it, not even on the drive to the new house. Kim had to admit it was a beautiful structure once they got there, but it wasn’t Miami, there wasn’t an ocean behind it, and she was sure all hell was about to break loose in Atlanta.

*****

Jalen recognized Creeper as he exited the airline terminal; the other man was a mystery to him.

“
Wassup,” Creeper greeted him. “This is my boy Pirate,” he introduced the two men.

Exchanging pleasantries, they headed out to the curb where Pirate had illegally parked moments earlier. They jumped into the truck moments before the officer could write the ticket. Chuckling they headed to the interstate making small talk as they rode.

“
So you’ve met these people, talked to them about my brothers,” Jalen asked becoming nervous.

“
Yeah, told you that,” Creeper replied. “They’re cool, so relax,” he added as Jalen nodded again.

Pirate cut a look at Creeper as they both smiled slightly regarding the scared man in the backseat. Jalen looked over the city as they drove. He’d never been to Atlanta before. He’d heard good things about the city and he liked the music that came out of it for sure. He made a mental note to grab some CD’s before he left and if possible go visit some of the studios, especially the new one they’d just built for Tyler Perry, the movie mogul that lived here.

“We’re here, come on,” Creeper told him breaking his thought.

Jalen was even more nervous seeing the house and knowing he was close. Swallowing his fear, he put his hand on the inner latch and opened the door. Stepping onto the firm ground, Jalen took a deep breath and steeled himself for what he may or may not find when they went inside the house.

“
Grab your bag,” Creeper told him, tossing the suitcase to him, as he and Creeper grabbed their own gear.

“
You guys are staying too,” Jalen asked as they began walking up the sidewalk.

“
Yeah,” Creeper replied. “Told you they’re cool people,” he added as Pirate chuckled silently.

Arriving Creeper pulled a key from his pocket, further astounding Jalen as he let them all inside.

“
Come on in,” Pirate told Jalen, addressing him finally. “You want something to drink,” he asked, heading for the kitchen.

Jalen told him that was fine, still confused they were so comfortable in the house. “Where are the people who own the house,” he asked as Pirate brought them all a beer and they sat down, turning on the TV.

“They’re here,” Creeper returned simply.

Jalen frowned slightly again as the two men made no attempt to get up or alert the owners they were there.

“
So when do I get to meet them,” Jalen finally asked after another thirty minutes of TV watching.

“
Soon,” Pirate replied and changed the channel.

“
Yeah, relax Jalen,” Creeper added, finishing his beer and picking up the cordless, ordering a pizza.

He asked Jalen what toppings he wanted, transferring the information to the order taker.

“
Cool, pizza should be here in about forty minutes,” Creeper replied as he saw Ian come into the room, standing directly behind where Jalen sat.

“
Are you sure they know we’re here and don’t mind us being in their house,” Jalen asked nervously. “Drinking their beer, ordering pizza,” he added as Creeper smiled. “Why don’t you ask them,” he said calmly, nodding and looking over Jalen’s shoulder. Quickly setting his bottle down, Jalen turned, ready to greet the owner and apologize for any offense, when his eyes met those of his dead brother, and the words stuck in his throat.

*****

Ramell and Jacoury admired the house when they drove up. Calling Tariq on the cell letting him know they’d arrived and were at the house he directed them too. “Good,” Tariq replied. “DeNoah should be there with the keys,” he added, going on to describe the car and the man.

“
Yeah, he’s here,” Jacoury said to Ramell, who relayed it to Tariq.

“
Call me once you two have rested and relaxed,” he told them as Ramell assured him he would.

Getting out of the LandRover they walked up the drive and met DeNoah who was exiting his car now as well.

“
Wassup man,” Ramell greeted as Jacoury simply nodded and observed.

“
The house is fully equipped,” DeNoah told them as they all went inside.

Jacoury loved the roominess as well as the 55” wall mounted plasma TV he saw. They told DeNoah they would explore the house later and he told them it was fine. Ramell asked where the nearest store was as DeNoah again answered his query.

“
I didn’t know Top had people in Indiana,” DeNoah threw out trying to get information.

He’d been kept pretty much in the dark lately since LaRon’s death. He still had the feeling that while Tariq liked him well enough, he didn’t trust him completely.
Too many fuck ups over the years, and your New Jersey trouble didn’t help,
DeNoah thought sighing lightly. He hoped Tariq wasn’t looking to replace him with the two men present now.

“
Top has people everywhere,” Jacoury responded quickly.

He didn’t care much for DeNoah upon meeting him. The man was soft and had a tendency to talk too much. That wasn’t a good combination in this business.

“
That’s what good leadership does,” he added as DeNoah nodded his understanding and said nothing else.

Ramell picked up on Jacoury’s dislike, making a mental note to ask about it later.

“
I wanna go get some drink up in here,” Ramell said simply.

“
I can make that run for you,” DeNoah volunteered.

Ramell told him he would go with him. He wanted to see the area. DeNoah smiled and told him that was cool as the two men left, allowing Jacoury time to inspect the house and check on the club.

10

         
Kaitlyn sat stoically inside the small funeral chapel looking at the various flower arrangements and the photo tribute to her best friend. The minister began speaking to those gathered about Jaleesa, her life, and her legacy. Kaitlyn half heard what the man was saying, her heartbeat roaring so loudly in her ears it drowned out everything else. She still couldn’t believe it, still couldn’t accept that her best friend, her sister, her confidant, her partner in crime, was dead. That she took her own life and left them all here to mourn.
Jaleesa, why,
Kaitlyn thought as the tears came again. Tariq continued to hold her as she cried, Tae on her other side, holding her hand. Kaitlyn was glad to hear from her this morning when she’d called. She and Shells had been in New York visiting his family during all the turmoil. As soon as she returned and heard the news, Tae called. Now she was here, and Kaitlyn couldn’t thank her enough for that.

         
She also had the feeling something was going on, but Tariq hadn’t said anything. Not that she expected he would. Tariq kept her very much out of the loop where the business was concerned. Still Kaitlyn was no fool and she’d noticed all the gathering that was going on. Mook and Kim coming to Atlanta, the quiet whispers he and Shells shared this morning, the phone call from his cousin in Indiana. Yes, there was definitely something going on and whatever it was, it wasn’t good. Reeling her mind in, Kaitlyn again gave the minister her attention as he finished talking and opened the floor for anyone who wanted to say a few words. Tae rose and went forward, speaking for both of them. As much as Kaitlyn wanted too, she just didn’t have the strength to stand there and talk about her friend as a past tense, not just yet.

         
Several other friends, co-workers, acquaintances, stood and had words. Each saying something very calming and soothing to Charlotte and the boys about Jaleesa. Finally it was over and everyone began to leave.

“
You want to go have a drink,” Tae asked Kaitlyn who smiled and told her yes.

“
I’m going with Tae for a little while,” she told Tariq as he looked at her closely. “I’m fine honey, really,” Kaitlyn reassured him.