The following morning, all gathered at Woodlawn Cemetery to pay their final respects to Kenny Lucas. Before the funeral began, Kirk and Richards arrived on the scene. There were a number of questions that the detectives needed answers to, and this was the best place to get them.
"See, Pat, they’re all here."
"Yeah, but that don’t mean we’re gonna get anything out of any of them," Richards said as he and Kirk got out of their car and made their way toward the assembled guests.
"They are a tight-lipped bunch, always have been. But it’s not always what they say, it’s what they don’t say and how they don’t say it," Kirk claimed as the stood off to the side.
The minister spoke, "Love is the one virtue that goes on into eternity. Neither death nor time nor hell’s fire could ever end true love. In sure and certain hope of the resurrection to eternal life through our Lord Jesus Christ, we commend to Almighty God our brother Kenny Lucas, and we commit his body to the ground, earth-to-earth, ashes-to-ashes, dust-to-dust. The Lord bless him and keep him. The Lord make his face to shine upon him and be gracious unto him and give him peace. Amen."
Once the service was over, the detective headed straight for Black, who was making his way back to his car along with CeCe and Victor.
"Good morning, detectives," Black said as soon as they were close enough to hear him. "I’m surprised to see you gentlemen, but I appreciate you coming to pay your respects."
"Whatever," was Detective Richards’ response.
"I was wondering if we could get a moment of your time, Black?" Kirk said, choosing to be a bit more diplomatic than his partner.
"Not a problem." Black turned to CeCe and Victor. "Would you two please excuse me while I talk to the detectives?"
"Sure," CeCe said and walked away to mingle with the other guests.
"I’ll be right here if you need me, Black," Victor said.
"That won’t be necessary. I’m sure I’ll be safe with these two paragons of virtue," Black said as Victor stepped away. "So what can I do for you gentlemen?"
"You know me, Black; just a couple of questions. Maybe you could clear some things up for me," Kirk said and let out a little yawn. "Excuse me," the detective said as he covered his mouth.
"You look tired, detective."
"I had a busy night-double homicide. Some people you know."
"Who got murdered, detective?"
"Bruce Stark and Clifford Moon were found dead at Fat Larry’s late last night."
"I hadn’t heard that, detective," Black said.
"I’m surprised you hadn’t heard about it. I heard you and him were close, Black."
"We talked about this, Kirk, remember? After that unfortunate business with him and The Commission, I wouldn’t call us close."
"What about Lorraine Robinson?" Richards asked. "You know her?"
"She’s Jasper Robinson’s daughter, right?"
"That’s her. After JR died, she took over his club."
"I haven’t seen Lorraine since she was a little girl. Her and her brother Miles, were nice kids."
"Nice kids, huh?" Richards said. "She goes by the name Rain, and she turned out to be a drug dealer, and her brother is doing time for murder."
"You never know how kids are gonna turn out these days, do you?"
"I hear that her and Nick were really close," Richards pressed.
"You’d have to ask Nick about that, detective. He’s around here somewhere," Black said to Richards and turned to Kirk. "But tell me; did something happen to Miss Robinson?"
"She was shot outside her club by a guy named Blue Claxton," Kirk explained. "Real shame. I was just about to question Miss Robinson on her involvement in several drug murders."
"You said she was shot, detective. Is Miss Robinson gonna live?"
"Doctors don’t know if she’s gonna make it or not. She’s under guard in intensive care right now. She hasn’t regained consciousness," Richards said.
"What about the guy that shot her?"
"He’s dead."
"Then justice was served," Black said and started walking away from Kirk and Richards.
The detectives started walking right alongside him. "You know, Black, with all the talk about you, Collette, Stark and Nick being linked to Rain Robinson, I’m wondering if what I keep hearing is true."
"What’s that, detective?"
"That you’re getting back in the drug business."
"We talked about this, too, detective. But I’ll say it again in case I wasn’t clear the last time. I am definitely not even thinking about moving in that direction. So you can go home and get some rest."
"All the same, I’m watching you, Black," Kirk said, and he and Richards walked away.
After the detective left, Wanda walked up to Black. For the next few minutes Wanda talked about some issues with their legal businesses. "There is one more thing I need to tell you."
"What’s that?"
"Nick and I aren’t together anymore," Wanda said softly.
"What happened?"
"I’m sure you already know the reason why," Wanda paused. "I just got tired of people telling me about him and Rain Robinson."
"You ask Nick about it?"
"Of course I did, and naturally he denied it. You know how you men are. I just thought you should know."
"I’m sorry," Black said and hugged her.
Wanda saw CeCe watching them. "By the way, I’m having dinner with Marcus Douglas tonight. Wanna join me?"
"Marcus Douglas," Black
said and
thought
for a
second. "Ain’t he the guy you were gonna get to defend me for killin’ Cassandra?"
"That’s him. He’s moving to New York from Atlanta and opening a practice here."
"What brought that on?"
"He said that he needed a change, but he didn’t really go into any details. I guess I’ll find out tonight."
"I don’t think so, Wanda. You two have a good time."
"That’s the thing. It won’t be just the two of us. He’s bringing somebody with him. Somebody you know."
"Who’s that?"
"Carmen Taylor."
"Carmen Taylor," Black said.
He hadn’t thought about Carmen in years. Black had met her years ago on the train one day when he and Freeze were going to kill a Rasta named Desmond Kelly, who had been sent by Vincent Martin to kill him.
That day on the train Carmen told Black that she was a model and Black introduced her to a modeling agent named Calvin Cummings. That introduction was what started Carmen’s career on the road to becoming a super model.
Carmen always had a thing for thugs, and she fell hard for Black. He was feeling her, too, but Black knew that Carmen had a future modeling. A future that would be better served if she didn’t have, "A thug nigga like me in your life," Black told Carmen on their last night together. After that, Black avoided Carmen until she finally gave up and got serious about her career.
"What time?" Black asked.
"I’ll send a car for you at six," Wanda said as CeCe walked up.
"I didn’t mean to interrupt anything," CeCe said as Wanda passed her.
"You’re not," Wanda said and frowned. "I was just leaving anyway. I’ll see you tonight, Mike."
"I didn’t mean to run her away," CeCe said.
"You didn’t. She was leaving when you walked up. And besides, Wanda doesn’t like you."
"Why not? She doesn’t know anything about me. Or is it because she and your wife were close?"
"No. It took a long time before the two of them got on good terms."
"So why doesn’t she like me?"
"I never asked. But you’re more than welcome to ask her."
"Don’t think I won’t."
"But I don’t think now is a good time."
"I’m not gonna step to her now, but I will at a more appropriate time. I never did anything to her for her not to like me," CeCe paused. "She ain’t one of those bitches who expects everybody to kiss her ass, is she?"
"No, she’s not like that. Wanda is just very protective of all of us; that’s all."
"Protective of you, you mean. Your whole crew is, but I guess they have to be with a man in your position," CeCe said as Nick approached them.
"Got a minute?" Black asked.
"All the time in the world," Nick said.
Black turned to CeCe. "Would you excuse us for a minute?"
"Sure. I’m getting used to it," CeCe said and kissed him on the cheek.
Black watched CeCe as she walked away. Once CeCe was out of hearing range, he turned to Nick. "Kirk says that Rain is still alive. They got her in intensive care. Doctors don’t know if she’s gonna make it."
"He say anything else?"
"Bobby was right. Kirk put it together. He was about to question her about those drug murders. So what I need to know from you is, if Rain comes out of it, is she gonna stand up, or is she somebody we gotta worry about?"
"Rain won’t talk," Nick said confidently. "I’m sure of that."
"For your sake I hope so."
"I want you to know that I’m sorry for letting things get so out of control with Rain."
"You should be. You shoulda known what she was doin’. Shit, I knew Rain was dealin’. I didn’t know it was on that level or that she was buying from Stark. But you should have. I told you once before, you need to know everything that’s goin’ on in the organization you’re runnin’. But you let that young pussy blind you to who Rain really was."
"You’re right, I did." Nick started to walk away, but then he stopped. "Wanda told you about us?"
"What’s up with that?"
"She was lookin’ for me while I was tryin’ to get on top of this thing with Rain. She wanted to know what I was doin’ and who I was with. I know you didn’t want Wanda to know anything about your deal with Stark and Angelo, so-"
"So you kept your mouth shut and let Wanda believe what she wanted to believe."
"Which was the truth; I was fuckin’ Rain and it cost me."
"I’d talk to her, but I don’t think it would do much good at this point," Black told Nick and signaled for CeCe and Victor to come back. "I appreciate you takin’ a hit like that. But losin’ Wanda over Rain Robinson is the consequence of your actions. You just gotta man-up now and accept it," Black said as he opened the car door for CeCe.
Black and CeCe got in the back seat and Victor drove away. As they drove away, Black thought about Carmen Taylor.