“You know what the problem is, Nick?”
“I know you’re about to tell me.”
“There was a time when you had to be brought into the game. You know, the way Andre brought Black in, and then he reached out to you and brought you along. You learned the game that way; learned that there were things that you just didn’t do. Men had respect for one another. Now, shit, any dumb nigga with a couple of dollars he can rub together can get him a package and bam, there he is. Dumber than a muthafucka; not knowing shit, but how to pull his gun and shot over stupid shit.”
“Times change, JR After awhile there won’t be a place in the game for things like honor and respect,” I said and thought that this would be a good time to talk about what I came here for. “While we’re on the subject, JR, there is something I need to talk to you ’bout.”
“You know, Nick, I been in this game a long time, which means I know enough to know that you ain’t come here just to drink my liquor and talk ’bout the old days.”
“I meant no disrespect.”
“What’s on your mind, Nick?”
“Last week there was a robbery at one of Black’s businesses. Place called Paradise Fish and Chicken. Two people were killed.”
“I hadn’t heard anything about that. Now I’m wondering why you wanna talk to me about this?”
“My sources tell me that the bandits were connected to you.”
“I see. How much money was taken?”
“About two hundred dollars.”
JR laughed. “Nick,” he said and tried to stop himself from laughing. “You have to excuse me for laughin’. I didn’t mean you any disrespect. I know this is a serious matter, or you wouldn’t be sittin’ here. But I can assure you that I had nothing to do with it. I ain’t about to fuck with Black over chump change.”
“And believe me; it’s not about the money. Two people were killed, civilians, just standing in line waiting for their food. That type of thing is bad for business.”
“I understand.”
“To be honest with you, JR, I don’t believe you knew anything about it, ’cause if you did, the people involved would be dead for bringing that kind of weight on you for that little bit of money. But the word is out there that it was your people. All I’m asking is that you ask some questions.”
“You have my word on that, Nick. If I find that it’s true, I’ll call you before I put a bullet in the back of their heads,” JR promised and I took him at his word.
Chapter 15
Just then, there was a light knock at the door, and
it opened slowly. A young woman walked in. She was attractive, if not pretty, but she had a body that screamed LOOK AT ME!
JR sprung to his feet, so I stood up too. Besides, I had said what I came here to say and I was ready to go.
“Sorry, Daddy,” the woman said. “I didn’t know you were busy. I’ll come back later.”
“No, no. It’s all right, Lorraine. Come in. I want you to meet somebody.”
She went and stood next to her father and I could see the resemblance.
“Nick, this is my daughter Lorraine. Lorraine, this is Nick Simmons, he’s an associate of Mike Black.”
Lorraine smiled like somebody told her that she had just hit the number. “I’ve heard a lot about you, Mr. Simmons. It’s an honor to meet you.”
“It’s Nick, and it’s good to meet you too, Lorraine.”
“Call me Rain,” she said and went to the bar to fix herself a drink. “I’m just gonna get a drink and then I’ll be out of your way. We can talk later, Daddy.”
“It’s good that you’re here, Lorraine. Nick was just tellin’ me that one of his places was robbed, and the word is that we had something to do with it. You hear anything about that?”
“Nope,” Rain said quickly, “how much money we talkin’ ’bout here?”