After All Page 27

  “Maybe so.”

  “You're not listening to me.” Cedric frowned at him. “Hell, forget about those jerks. We'll get more and better jobs. Wait and see.” He tried to lighten his tone.

  “I guess.” Anthony could muster no strong emotion. No anger and certainly no hope.

  “Say, man. It's going to get better.” Cedric perched on the desk near his friend.

  “How? Projects that we spent weeks working to get are drying up. It's only a matter of time before we have to lay off some of the men.”Anthony massaged his temple. “Maybe it's a sign that coming home wasn't such a hot idea after all. Atlanta is looking real good to me right now. And without me holding you back, it’s a cinch the phone would start ringing again.”

  “No indeed, brother man. We went into this business as partners and we're going to fight to save it together.” Cedric jabbed a finger at him.”

  “Cedric, I don't have the heart for it. Things are crashing down on me.” Anthony squeezed his eyes shut.

  “You've taken some hard knocks here lately, but hang tough.” Cedric leaned towards him to put a hand on her shoulder. “I'm with you all the way.”

  “I appreciate it, Cedric. I really do. But finding out about Uncle Ike... Damn. I feel like such a fool.” The despondency Anthony felt was etched on his face.

  “Ike did a number on you and a lot of other people.”

  “It's as though he’s two different men. The Uncle Ike that reached out to help me and Mama doesn't look anything like the man I saw three days ago. Did he change or have I been that blind all these years?” Anthony held out both hands to Cedric begging for understanding.

  “He was two men, Anthony. That's the thing. Nobody is all good or all bad. With Ike, he just swung between both extremes. He'll go the extra mile to help his family and friends. Problem is, he goes about it the wrong way.” Cedric lifted a shoulder.

  “Wrong way is an understatement. Try criminal.” Anthony said, his voice laced with bitterness.”And the worst thing is I've lost the woman who means the world to me. All because I was too stupid to see the truth.”

  “No chance?”

  Anthony shook his head, his eyes full of misery. “I went by her place yesterday; to talk to her.” He fell silent unable to go on.

  “Didn't go too well, huh?” Cedric gave him a sympathetic pat on the forearm. “Listen, it's still kind of soon. It may take a few days or weeks, maybe longer, but Michelle will come around. Shantae says she's crazy about you, man.”

  Anthony attempted a smile but his mouth turned down instead.” Thanks for trying, buddy. But with the attack on Dominic, I doubt she can ever feel the same about me.”

  “Michelle can't believe you had anything to do with that.”

  “Yeah, but my uncle, the one I've been defending so long, probably did.” Anthony's voice rose in anger. “I can't say I blame her, either.”

  Cedric placed both hands on Anthony's shoulders and stared at him hard. “Try again. Maybe you can talk to her.”

  Anthony moved Cedric's hands firmly. “It's no use, Cedric. You didn't see the coldness in her eyes when she looked at me.

  “I've got to get out of here. Listen, you do whatever you think best. I don't really care anymore.” Anthony's eyes were dulled by pain as he gazed at his friend. “I'm no good for you, Cedric. With all you put into this place, you deserve better than me.”

  “Anthony, don't give up everything you have,” Cedric pleaded.

  “Trouble is, I probably did that months ago. I just didn't know it.” Anthony walked out.

  Anthony drove aimlessly for over two hours. Thoughts of Michelle filled his mind, blocking out his sense of time or place. The knowledge that her smile would never welcome him again created a dull ache no medicine could cure. He headed towards False River. Without realizing it, he traced a favorite route of theirs for long Sunday drives in the country. The parking lot of Sonnier's boat landing in downtown New Roads had only a few cars with empty boat trailers. Anthony got out of his car and sat on a bench. Watching the water gently lap against the bank. The reality of learning to live without Michelle settled on him like a gloomy fog that dimmed the bright sunlight.

  ***

  “We can't find him nowhere, Lonnie.” J. J. eyed him with an uneasy feeling.

  Lonnie had been striding back and forth for ten minutes alternating between shouting obscenities and ominous silence. The news of James Bridges disappearance disturbed them because they were not the cause of it. Tia sat next to Marcus on the battered couch of their headquarters. Of the seven men spread around the living room, she alone seemed unaffected by Lonnie's blasts of rage. She watched him with a calm expression.

  “Maybe somebody beat us to it, man. What I'm sayin', could be he's dead already.” T-Bone grinned foolishly flashing gold teeth. “Saves us trouble and bullets, yeah.”

  Lonnie whirled around. His eyes filled with wrath. Clearly he was eager for a target. “This some kinda damn joke to you, huh?” Both of his arms were down at his sides with his hands balled tightly into huge fists.

  “Nah, man. I'm sayin'...” T-bone let his voice trail off seeing the savageness in Lonnie's face.

  “T-Bone's right though,” Tia said in a controlled voice. She allowed her gaze to flicker across them all. “Bridges could only make things a little hot for us. After all, how much does he know?”

  “He knows me! He's been over to Charlotte's office with me and Ike,” Lonnie shot back, striking his chest with a thud.

  “And you talked in front of him?” Tia's eyes closed until her eyes were almost hidden. It gave her the appearance of a tigress about to strike.

  “Nothin',” Lonnie blurted looking away. “I didn't say nothin' outright he can testify to in court.”

  “But you said somethin'. Hummph,” Tia's voice dripped with scorn. “Real smart. What you're sayin' is you gave him enough to put the DA on the right trail.”

  “Look b--” Lonnie started towards her. All five men blocked his path with menacing stances. Lonnie staggered back in shock at the protective ring they formed around her.

  “Back off,” J. J. growled, no trace of fear on his coarse features.

  Her position established, Tia sought to smooth over the tense moment of friction. “Listen up, we got to get our heads together. This ain't no time for fightin' between us. Let's consider all the options. Bridges know about a lotta skeletons that could get some powerful folks jail time. Maybe one of them decided to take him out.”

  Lonnie let his shoulders relax. “It's possible. But we gotta make sure somehow,” he muttered still eyeing the other men with hostility.

  Tia turned to the other men. “J. J. and Leo, I want everybody we own, everybody that owes us to get the message out. Five hundred for whoever can tell us where Bridges is. Concentrate on the crack heads for sure. The bourgeois ones especially. They got friends of friends in his social circle. Tap the most desperate, offer 'em merchandise. But find him; alive or dead.”

  Marcus placed a hand on her thigh. “One way or the other, Bridges won't be a problem much longer. We'll get him.”

  “You think so?” Lonnie snarled. “How do you know he's not somewhere spillin' his guts to the DA or some cop? They could have him stashed in any of a hundred places.”

  “I doubt that, man,” Marcus said with confidence. “My old man has a source down there. If they had him, Pop would be meeting non-stop with his attorney.”

  “Then where the hell is he?” Lonnie shouted.

  “Why don't you ask Miss Charlotte?” Marcus smirked at him. “They're pretty close I understand.”

  “Be real careful,” Lonnie said. His chest rose and fell rapidly.”He ain't nothin' to her, you hear me? Nothin'.” He stood very still in front of Marcus.

  After several taut seconds, Marcus lifted his hands palms out as if surrendering. “Okay, no problem.”

  “He's got a point, Lonnie.” Tia stood between them. “Everybody knows they were goin' together before she met you. Could be
she'd be able to give us an idea where he is.”

  Lonnie inhaled sharply then let the air out noisily from flared nostrils. “I already asked her. She don't know,” he admitted grudgingly.

  “Well, we need to get to him fast no matter where he is or who's hidin' him.” Tia tilted her head up to look Lonnie straight in the eye. “Meantime, let's all just hang loose.”

  Lonnie lifted both arms in a casual gesture. “Hey, I'm cool.” He cracked a humorless smile at everyone in the room.” He moved back. “Let's take care of business.”

  For another ten minutes, Tia issued instructions to J. J. and the others. Plans to use every gang member and all of their contacts were put into action. J. J. began muttering into the small cell phone he carried. The other four gang members left hurriedly.

  Lonnie rubbed his jaw while eyeing Marcus with eyes clouded with suspicion. “Bridges been hangin' with your old man a long time.”

  “Yeah. So?”Marcus raised an eyebrow.

  “So he could be hidin' Bridges.” Lonnie shot a sideways glance at Tia who continued to examine her long, acrylic fingernails studded with rhinestones.

  “No way. I would definitely know.”

  “Maybe not. Your daddy don't exactly think all that much of you,” Lonnie retorted. He spoke to Tia directly ignoring Marcus. “They could be cuttin' their own deal. Givin' us, you and me, up to the DA right now.”

  “Interestin' theory. What about it, Marcus?” Tia said without looking up from her hands.

  “That's crazy. I'd know if my old man up to something like that.” Marcus glared at Lonnie. “Don't try it, man,” he warned. Turning to Tia, he rushed to close any beginning distance Lonnie may have caused with his suggestion of treachery. “Besides, he's got as much to lose. My old man wouldn't cut no deal. He'd rather go down fighting.”

  “A man gonna do whatever it takes to save his ass when push comes to shove. Know what I'm sayin'?” Lonnie's lip curled in contempt.

  “Let's find Bridges first,” Tia cut in to head off another confrontation between them. “Then we'll do whatever is necessary to get rid of any threat to our business interests.” Her cold, probing gaze flickered between the two men as they both grasped the deadly meaning behind her words.

  Chapter 16

  The hallway outside the Grand Jury room was crowded with reporters from as far away as Shreveport. Michelle stepped over light cables and dodged cameramen as she made her way closer to the crew from Channel Twelve.

  Bob swung the mini-cam around checking the settings and pointed it directly at her. He smiled broadly. “Hey, now. You still looking good.”

  “Hello, Bob. How's the news game these days?” Michelle looked around recognizing most of the reporters. “Lord, what a zoo.”

  “Yeah, they smell blood all right.” Bob frowned at her. “Sorry, champ. I forgot he’s a friend of yours.”

  “Don't sweat it.”Michelle gave him a reassuring pat on the arm. “Gracie with you on this one?”

  Jennifer strode up to them pointedly ignoring Michelle. “Bob, one of the law clerks just told me Connely is coming out that door. If we position ourselves here, he'll have to pass right by us.”

  “Don't you think it would be better for me to wait outside? I could get footage of the witnesses coming into the courthouse. More dramatic.” Bob shot Michelle an exasperated look. “You could always interview Connely on his way out or later today.”

  “Just do what I tell you,” Jennifer said, a peeved note in her voice.”I decide how we're going to lead this off, okay? We'll film the witnesses leaving.”

  “But you probably won't get a quote then. Most of the time they're too tired or cranky after being grilled for hours.” Michelle gave Bob a mischievous wink. They both knew there were pros and cons to both ways, but she enjoyed irritating Jennifer.

  Jennifer's lip curled with disdain. “Advice from you isn't worth much these days. If you were so smart, you'd be covering the story instead of reading headlines on a dinky radio station.”

  “Yes, but I do it with style.” Michelle lifted her nose in the air.

  “I guess you have to tell yourself something. Well excuse me. I have a real job to do.” Jennifer walked off to another group of television reporters. Glancing over her shoulder, she made it clear that Michelle was the topic of conversation.

  “Real sweet lady, huh?” Bob snorted.

  “Charming,” Michelle said. She looked at her watch. “They're five minutes late.”

  “There was some kind of delay until the DA's top investigator could bring over more documents before the first witness.” Bob turned sharply hearing the hum of voices behind them rise.”I better move it.”

  He rushed off to stand beside Jennifer.

  Michelle started forward then froze. The sight of Anthony, his lawyer beside him, surrounded by the reporters made her tremble. His handsome features were blank as he pushed his way through the crowd without speaking. Michelle knew only too well how he must be suffering under the pressure of constant media attention. Anthony and his attorney swung abruptly to face the pack shooting questions at them.

  Several microphones were thrust forward abruptly. Both men blinked in the glare of a large light pointed by a news crewman.

  “Mr. Hilliard has every intention of cooperating with the investigation fully. That's all we have to say at this point.” The attorney spoke in a gruff voice.

  Anthony stared ahead at no one. He seemed to be far away from the madness that swirled around him. Michelle knew the reporters had a job to do, yet she cringed to see him assailed so. Suddenly Anthony's gaze found her. Michelle looked away unable to bear the sadness and disappointment in his eyes. When she dared glance up again, he was disappearing through the doors of the Grand Jury room.

  Moments later, Connely strode down the hall and went through the double doors leaving one of his assistants, a smartly dressed young woman, behind.

  Adjusting wire frame eyeglasses, she gave a chilly, professional smile.”We have no comment at this time.”She turned disregarding questions being yelled at her.

  Jennifer turned a sober face to the camera.”Sources tell Channel Twelve that Mr. Hilliard is being questioned in connection to the murder of Troy Quarles. As we've reported earlier, Mr. Quarles was a known drug dealer with a long arrest record. He was also an employee of Mr. Hilliard at the time of his murder. There is speculation that his death is somehow related to drug trafficking and that Mr. Hilliard was involved. We'll update this story at ten. This is Jennifer Lang reporting.” She lowered the microphone once the camera was off and looked at Michelle. “Your boyfriend is in tight spot.”

  “Being questioned isn't a conviction or even an indictment.” Michelle wanted to convince herself more than Jennifer.

  “I hear Troy Quarles got the job with your boyfriend on a recommendation from Ike Batiste. You dug up the dirt on his uncle that led the police straight to him. Seems Mr. Hilliard has you to thank.” Jennifer smiled maliciously.

  Michelle took a step towards. “I'm sure you have someplace you need to be, right?” Jennifer backed away and scuttled off.

  “Don't let her get to you, champ.” Bob shook his head watching Jennifer strut down the hall.

  “Not to worry, she won't. See you later.” Michelle waved goodbye to him and several others as she left.

  Michelle had all she needed for the short news spot on WDUP. She headed back to the radio station. Once there she wrote her copy and collected other stories from the online news service. She finished up at six that evening, the last news cast of the day. Too keyed up to go home, she turned her car towards the hospital. Dominic had been moved to a regular room when his condition was upgraded to serious.

  “Hello, sport.” Michelle kissed the top of Dominic's bandaged head gently. “ How're you feeling today?”She took his hand in hers.

  “Can't complain.” Dominic smiled. He still spoke in a slow, raspy tone. “You just missed T'aneka. I finally got her to go home.” He shifted and then pressed a bu
tton to raise the head of his hospital bed.

  Michelle pulled the smaller of two chairs next to him. “She's a real sweet person.”

  “Very special. For the first time in my life, I'm thinking about somebody other than me.” Dominic grinned at her. “Those lectures Dad gave must have been planted subliminally. Me going to work every day, sticking to one woman at a time; and all before I got hit on the head.”

  “Just part of daddy's master plan. You've been programmed, little brother,” Michelle teased.

  Dominic's expression became serious. “One day when I was still in intensive care, I woke up and saw Dad sitting in the corner with his head in his hands. He looked worn down. Man, when I think of all the stupid stuff I did just to piss him off. And there he was, right by my side.” His eyes grew bright with tears.

  “Daddy may be a bit... hard-nosed shall we say? But he truly wants the best for us all,” Michelle said softly.

  Wiping his eyes, Dominic chuckled. “Yeah. For the first time in my life, we agreed I should quit my job.”

  “Have you heard from Buster Wilson by the way?”

  “He called yesterday. That's when I quit. I could hear the relief in his voice on the phone.” Dominic reached for her hand. “T'aneka told me you left the station. I'm sorry, sis.”

  “I've already bounced back.” Michelle gave his hand a reassuring squeeze.

  “I saw the news story about Anthony. T'aneka is positive Anthony had nothing to do with Lonnie and his gang. Now Marcus, sure. In fact, Marcus got in tight with the Park Boulevard Posse within a few weeks of working at the Authority.”

  “Who are they?”

  “A group of gang bangers in the project on Park Boulevard. T'aneka knows more about it than I do.” Dominic looked at her with worried eyes. “You and T'aneka be careful. Those guys are running scared. They're capable of anything on a normal day, but now...” He grimaced.

  “Take it easy.”Michelle tried to calm his fears. “With this murder and the police bearing down on the flow of cocaine, they've got other worries now. We'll be all right.”