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  “So you got eyes and ears around town. Humph, that’s damn smart.”

  Jazz had to admit she was impressed. Like most, Jazz had been skeptical that her bourgie sister could handle the rough and tumble of a security and protection business in the ‘hood. Willa had inherited Crown Protection when her ex-husband was murdered. Before he died, Willa had moved into being a solidly middle-class soccer mom, complete with pearls and twinsets.

  “Thanks, but just so you know, I’m not keeping tabs on you,” Willa added.

  “Sure, sure. I believe you.” Jazz watched Willa continue her routine of everything in its place and a place for everything. Wheels turned as Jazz crossed one leg over the other.

  Willa put away her matching serving pieces in the cabinet with glass doors that displayed them. Then she joined Jazz at the breakfast bar. She gazed at Jazz’s three inch heel red leather boots. “I love those. They are gorgeous.”

  “These? Hey, you can borrow them anytime.” Jazz stretched out one leg. The black velvet leggings were neatly tucked into the boots. “I got another pair like this in black. Girl, got these on one of those sites online with designer clothes cheap. Here, try ‘em on.”

  “Okay, hold it,” Willa blurted out and waved a hand in the air. “Now I know you’ve got something up your slick little sleeve. C’mon, out with it.”

  Jazz stopped in the act of unzipping one boot. “What? We wear the same shoe size I think, and I know you don’t have nothin’ hot like this. That sexy Cedric would sit up and beg if you stepped into the office tomorrow wearing these.”

  “Cedric and I, I mean we… How many times I have to say he’s my employee?” Willa stammered. Then she scowled at Jazz. “And don’t try to fake me out by changing the subject to Cedric and me, not that there is a ‘Cedric and me’.”

  “Well there would be a ‘Cedric and you’ if you stopped dressing like a Black Barbie Goes to the Office doll. Those boring suits and…” Jazz broke off when Willa planted a fist on one hip. “Just sayin’.”

  “Are you in some kind of trouble?” Willa demanded.

  “Me? Why certainly not, dear sister. I’ve been walking a straight line ever since Reverend Fisher set me down the path of redemption.” Jazz stared back at Willa. “I don’t appreciate that look of skepticism.”

  “Two words about your path, Candy Girls. You could have opened a restaurant, a clothing boutique, or even a manicure shop. A bar with girls dancing naked?” Willa crossed her arms.

  “I have a restaurant,” Jazz shot back. “And my dancers are not naked. It’s against city ordinance. Your mama operates a bar.”

  “Mama Ruby’s place is a full service cafe. Her bar features some of the best bands around south Louisiana, and her waitresses are fully clothed,” Willa countered, ticking her points off on the fingers of one hand.

  “Yeah, well she’d triple her net receipts if she took some of those clothes off her waitresses,” Jazz quipped and laughed at the squinty-eyed look Willa gave her.

  “Such a smart-ass,” Willa retorted and hopped off the stool. She put two slices of red velvet cake on dessert plates and came back to sit down.

  “Careful, Aunt Ametrine will throw some of that anointed oil on you for cussin’ like a backslider. By the way, Mama Ruby gave me business advice. Pretty good advice, too.”

  “Yeah, you just didn’t mention the naked dancing girls in your business plan.” Willa stuck cake in her mouth and chewed.

  “Half-naked, thank you.” Jazz grinned and winked at Willa. When her sister rolled her eyes, Jazz sighed. “Okay, I’m still the foster kid Mama Ruby couldn’t get to straighten up. Too many rules for me. I’m more like Vivienne than you.”

  “No, you’re not like her,” Willa said. For years she’d avoided calling Vivienne mother. “Biology is not destiny. We all consider you family. Dion and Shaun included. They’re our brothers even though we don’t share birth parents. We’re here for you. Always.”

  Jazz shifted on the stool, uneasy with the emotional drift of their conversation. As a child she fought leaving Vivienne, which was against all logic since their mother cared way more about herself than anyone. Mama Ruby tried, but Jazz rebelled and ran away to Houston, Texas at fifteen. She’d found Vivienne, and a whole new education in hard knocks. Still there was no going back. Jazz had grown up too fast to be mothered Mama Ruby style. When Jazz accepted that Vivienne would never offer any kind of warmth or refuge, she’d hit the road on her own at sixteen.

  With a sly smile, Jazz changed the subject. “Since you’re here for me, how’s about the 411 on two dudes, name of Brandon Wilks and Cleavon Bennett.”

  Willa dropped her fork leaving half the cake on her plate. “I just knew you were in some kind of trouble. One dead drug dealer and another one on the run. The police are looking for Bennett, but they think he’s— Wait a minute, tell me what you’ve done first.”

  “Nothing, I swear.” Jazz hissed a sigh. “The police came out claiming neighbors had complained about noise. Okay, some customers did get rowdy on the parking lot. Some dude’s wife showed up mad about his being at the club. Then his side woman showed up, too. The wife went off. The guy’s friends tried to calm things down, but it didn’t work.”

  “You left off the part about the drugs,” Willa cracked and arched her perfect eyebrows.

  “Two customers had several ounces of weed, one had warrants. The usual stuff.” Jazz dug into her cake. “Hey, this is good.”

  “The dead dealer, Jazz?” Willa poked Jazz’s arm with a forefinger.

  “Yeah, yeah. So the cops are interrogating my innocent customers and using the bad apples as an excuse to search my place. Addison shows up while I’m outside. Acts like he was just in the neighborhood. I didn’t buy it.” Jazz savored another piece of cake. The butter cream icing melted on her tongue. “Hmm, umph.”

  Willa pursed her lips for a moment before she spoke. “You know Brandon Wilks and Cleavon Bennett?”

  “Nah, not really. I know his triflin’ girlfriend with her lyin’ ass self. You met her a couple of times. Kyeisha Lathers,” Jazz replied and twisted her lips as if tasting something sour.

  “The same Kyeisha that you slapped so hard her earrings came out, that Kyeisha? Good Lord, Jazz. Please tell me you didn’t have a beef with her boyfriend, too. You can’t be going around beating up people you don’t like,” Willa lectured.

  “That no good heffa called the city on me twice and the health inspectors four times, her and that lowdown Lorraine. They wanted to ruin my business all because I snapped up a good deal on Candy Girls. Not my fault Lorraine wouldn’t pay her property and business taxes,” Jazz scowled at her sister.

  “I’ll ask again, did you get into it with her boyfriend? I mean there’s got to be a reason Addison came looking for you.”

  “The answer is no, I didn’t get into it with Cleavon. I only met him two or three times. Hardly said more than hello to the dude.” Jazz finished her cake while Willa sat in thought for several moments. “So what did you find out?”

  “Cleavon has the usual small time thug profile. He’s been arrested twice for domestic battery, possession of weed, and four times for theft. So far, nothing major, not that what he’s been picked up for isn’t bad enough,” Willa said with a frown.

  “He’s done worse, but the police haven’t caught him yet,” Jazz added.

  “Good point. Or he had more serious charges that got plead down, or the district attorney’s office didn’t have enough evidence.”

  “Well I’m betting they won’t have that problem this go round, which is why he’s hiding out. Claiming self-defense to protect your dope won’t impress the judge or a jury,” Jazz said with a laugh.

  “Unless…” Willa drummed the granite countertop with her fingertips as she thought.

  “What? You know something,” Jazz said and slapped Willa’s shoulder lightly to get her attention.

  “Cleavon seems to get a new Get-Out-Of-Jail-Card a lot. Cedric’s theory is he’s giving up
some people. Not that Cedric knows anything solid.” Willa shrugged when Jazz looked skeptical. “I know it’s not much.”

  “Look, jails stay full. I know at least ten dudes and girls that have records like Cleavon. They go in, get out. Get picked up for one charge, do a plea to a lesser charge. It happens,” Jazz replied. She got up and poured herself a cup of coffee from the coffee pot.

  “You need a new set of friends, Jazz,” Willa retorted.

  Jazz spooned sugar into the coffee and came back to sit again. “Whatever. I’m just sayin’. The streets don’t automatically think ‘snitch’ just cuz somebody is in and out of jail. Please tell me Kyeisha is in trouble, too.”

  “She got out on bond, but even though she was in the house with drugs, Cedric’s source doesn’t think she’ll be charged. She’s gone underground, too,” Willa said and nodded when Jazz’s eyebrows shot up.

  “You think she’s helping Cleavon hide? That would be a stupid move. Oh wait, I forgot. Kyeisha got there late when they were passing out smarts,” Jazz wisecracked.

  “Helping Cleavon hide will make her an accessory.” Willa stopped talking when Mikayla came into the kitchen.

  “Hmm, I just came to see what y’all doing.” Mikayla sidled up to her mother and placed an arm around Willa’s waist.

  Willa kissed the top of her thick, curly hair. “We’re talking. Go help Anthony serve Mama Ruby and them.”

  “He already did. You look so pretty, Auntie Jazz.” Mikayla flashed a smile at Jazz.

  “Thank you, short and beautiful. Are you still amazing your teachers at that fancy private school?”

  “No, ma’am. I go to Cedarcrest now. It’s pretty okay for a public school.” Mikayla wrinkled her nose as if a bad smell had seeped in.

  “Go on back to the living room,” Willa said firmly, avoiding Jazz’s look.

  Mikayla took a deep breath to launch into a rebuttal. “But—”

  “Your grandparents don’t get to see you as often as when you were little. Go.” Willa pointed toward the living room.

  “Yes ma’am.” Mikayla gave Jazz a sad look and then walked out with heavy steps. “But I don’t get to see Auntie Jazz either, and she’s stuck in here.”

  “We’ll be there in a minute,” Willa shot back, still pointing. Once she was gone, Willa turned her focus back to Jazz.

  “Mikayla don’t wanna listen to boring church talk or about your Aunt Beryl’s flower garden,” Jazz joked and sipped more coffee.

  Willa laughed. “Yes, I wouldn’t be surprised if she decides to become a private investigator. She loves snooping around. Speaking of which, I’m sure you’ve done some street level research.”

  “I didn’t learn much more than what you’ve told me. Cleavon has a mean streak and a bad temper. Much as I despise Kyeisha, I hate guys who beat up women even more. Lucky for him nobody mentioned him being a snitch. If they did, Cleavon would have a lot more to worry about than getting arrested.”

  “But that could be another reason he’s running, Jazz. Think about it. If he gets caught on this serious charge and takes a deal folks might start going, ‘Hmmm’.” Willa finished up her slice of cake.

  “Okay, that makes sense. I still don’t get why Addison would come to Candy Girls behind Cleavon or even me knowing Kyeisha. My gut is telling there’s more. And I hate surprises.” Jazz sighed. “Well maybe with Kyeisha having her own problems, she’ll stop messin’ with me. I’ve got half a mind to pay Lorraine a little visit.”

  “Jazz…”

  “I’m not going to beat up the woman, unless she swings on me first,” Jazz added. She laughed at Willa’s dramatic groan in reaction.

  “Don’t call me if you end up in the city jail,” Willa blurted out. “Seriously, Jazz, think about changing your life. Mikayla and Anthony would love to see more of you. If you had a nice, quiet business they could visit…”

  “I’m not trying to be a bourgie role model. That’s your job and their Black American Princess pretend aunt. I’m surprised MiMi isn’t here by the way,” Jazz said.

  “She’s having dinner with her parents.” Willa grinned when Jazz looked at her in surprise. “Yeah, I know. I’m sure we’re going to get some good gossip.”

  “Damn, those fancy rich people fight more than the fools in the hood. What is up with that?” Jazz eyed the red velvet cake, considered a second slice, and then resisted.

  “Much as she runs her mouth, MiMi doesn’t go into detail about her family business. She just keeps saying they’re ‘very dysfunctional’.. She keeps her visits few and spaced out. Says it’s just too toxic for the baby.” Willa got up with the two empty plates. “Sure you don’t want more cake? I saw you staring at it.”

  “No, thanks. I stuffed myself on fried fish last night. Got to watch the meals even though I’m not dancing these days. I’ve got plans,” Jazz replied.

  Willa spun around in the act of rinsing a plate. “You mean performing?”

  “Don’t look all scandalized. No, I’m not going on the pole again. But I’d like a bigger and better version of Candy Girls. If I’m going to offer quality adult nightlife I need to look the part for marketing purposes. My business advisors say it makes a difference.” Jazz smiled.

  “Quality adult nightlife,” Willa echoed. She finished rinsing the plates and dried them. “I see.”

  “Relax. I’m not talking about live porno shows or anything. I want a larger club with some of the top bands in the region. Another section will be a Chinese restaurant and of course lounge area.” Jazz nodded when Willa turned around again to gape at her.

  “Chinese food?”

  “You know my waitress Chyna, right? Well I didn’t just hire her to sling drinks. When I interviewed her she talked about having worked in her grandmother’s takeout place. That was before she fell out with her parents. But I’m going to help her make up with them.” Jazz bounced one boot covered foot as she talked.

  “You’ve always got a Plan B all right,” Willa said.

  Jazz grinned at the trace of admiration in her big sister’s voice. “Plans B, C, D and E, girl.”

  “Always thinking.” Willa leaned against the counter.

  “We were born poor, Black, and female. Toss in a mother like Vivienne and the one thing I learned is help ain’t comin’. You got to learn how to make it.” Jazz stopped smiling.

  “Since you mentioned our mama, have you talked to her lately?” Willa asked.

  “No.”

  Willa walked back and sat down again. “Me neither.”

  “Hey, that’s some fancy silver coffee server you got. Years ago Vivienne gave me one like it, but it’s got more pieces. Well, she left it when she took off. Running from a bad check charge,” Jazz added with a snort.

  “Be sure it’s not stolen goods,” Willa put in.

  “Shoot, I’m sure that silver is stolen goods. She snatched it from some rich family she was working for years ago. I’m betting that the statute of limitations has run out,” Jazz quipped.

  “That’s so not funny, the memories we have of our mother,” Willa said as she struggled to keep a frown on her face. Then they both burst into laughter.

  Jazz spoke when she could breathe. “Whew, at least she’s good for a laugh every now and then. So, can you keep checking for me?”

  Willa dabbed at her eyes with a paper napkin and nodded. Then she looked at Jazz. “You’re not keeping anything from me are you? Wait, I don’t know why I’m asking. Of course you are.”

  “No, I wouldn’t hold out on you.” Jazz gave her a wide-eyed expression of innocence. “Seriously, I didn’t find out anything else. You know I only keep stuff from you to avoid those lectures and to keep y’all out of danger.” She waved a hand toward the sound of family enjoying each other’s company.

  “Uh-huh. Or so I won’t blow a hole in one of your crazy schemes,” Willa retorted. “I’ll keep looking for another week.”

  “Girl, thanks a lot. I owe you on this for real,” Jazz cut her off before one of those
lectures started.

  Willa pointed a finger at Jazz. “If you have anything to do with those thugs or that murder—”

  “Mama, everybody wants more cake and ice cream,” Mikayla sang out as she bounced into the kitchen. She skidded to a halt as her little snoop sensors picked up something more interesting. “What’s going on?”

  “You’re right on time, Kay-Kay. We were just sayin’ we should ask if anybody wanted more cake or coffee. Right, sis?” Jazz glanced at Willa with a grin.

  “Sure. I already made slices,” Willa said with a squint at Jazz.

  Anthony and Papa Elton bustled in soon after, engaged in a loud debate over sports. Willa’s mother and aunts soon followed. The kitchen overflowed with family chatter as everyone joined in. The warmth didn’t come from the oven or stove. Mama Ruby teased Aunt Beryl about her latest boyfriend. The youngest at fifty-eight, Beryl was the only single sister. Pearl, the fourth sister, lived with her second husband in Atlanta. Aunt Beryl took their ribbing with good humor. Papa Elton admonished them to lay off Beryl in between arguing with Anthony, and playing with Mikayla. Willa joined in at times, but kept an eye on Jazz. “You better not be messing around with more gangsters. I’m not visiting you in jail again,” Willa hissed low so the others wouldn’t hear.

  “Don’t worry, girl. I’m being my usual careful self,” Jazz whispered back. She giggled at the heated glare Willa gave her in response.

  Chapter 3

  The next morning Jazz sat in her living room with her feet up on the sofa, smoking and reading. She’d converted the half story upstairs space in a small building behind the club into a living area. A stone path from the sidewalk ran along the west side of her building. The path ended at the stairway that ended at her small porch. Although at first Jazz had seen it as a step down, living on the property hadn’t been so bad after all. Plus she was saving money on rent. She was about to start making notes on the pad in her lap when the doorbell chimed. She stabbed her cigarillo out and stomped to the door.