Smooth Jazz Ch. 09

"Your right and what you don't know is I have the perfect person in mind." Ellen went to the door and called her brother from the car. He walked in and sat at the table. Black immediately felt a hand shift to his gun; the guy seemed off to him.

"Ellen told me you guys needed a third man. I'm that man. I know the guy better than Ellen. If the fall has to be taken I'm more than willing. I owe her one, she saved my life." Ellen was so proud as he played his role to a tee.

Black couldn't lie he was impressed. He knew Ellen's manipulative powers knew no bounds. The girl had skills. His pride shielded him from thinking she would dare lie to him. She was too loyal and submissive to him. Black secretly felt that Ellen had feelings for him but wouldn't stir that pot by bringing it up.

"Really and how do you know him?" Black inquired. He stared into blue cobalt eyes with his own dark and cold ones.

"He fucked my mother." He said frankly and Ellen tried not to panic. He wasn't supposed to say that.

"Back in the day when he was up and coming they did drugs together. He's been paying me off to keep quiet. Dirty politicians will do anything to keep their secrets out from the light." Black's eyes passed between them.

"That means that he's your father too Ellen; you didn't tell me that." Black felt his hand slid further on his gun.

"That's because we have different fathers. My mother fucked another guy before she got a hold of the senator. She was a common crack whore, who got lucky cause she got in touch with a senator who liked the same drug." Ellen saw his body un-tense and she tried hard not to shoot her brother a look.

Black took his hand off his gun satisfied with her answer.

"Let's run through the plan." Her brother suggested.

"Let's" Ellen took her seat at the table. It was clear she was in control and she liked that.

"Well at midnight I'll go in and distract Pennington with conversation. Meanwhile my brother will come in. He's expecting both of us. This means that he will be able to get passed him and disable the cameras and such without him knowing."

"Won't he get suspicious that way," Black questioned.

"No, we'll inform him that there was supposed to be no security. Once we do that then I'll send him to go check things out to make sure no security is present and he'll disable everything during that sweep."

"Then you'll come in. I'll yell at my brother for setting us up and you'll pistol whip me around a bit and threaten his life. Tell him to give you all the money in the safe. We get the money leave and you take me as a hostage."

"What if he calls the cops?"

"Trust me Black. He won't. He's a spineless old man and his reputation is everything to him. He wouldn't dare give that up. He has more money than he knows what to do with." Ellen's brother interjected.

"What about the other drugs and money what's up with that. Last I heard William was close to getting property rights from his ole girl without having to smoke the white boy."

Ellen laughed.

"William got his dick knocked in the dirt by the white boy. I know you didn't want things to get dirty but at this point they have too. Those drugs and money could put anybody on the map. What if they try to sell it to someone else?"

Black considered this.

"They wouldn't do that. Plus, how would they find it anyway." Black said.

"That solider is more resourceful than you give him credit for. I don't think he's found it but he's getting suspicious. My brother has been keeping tabs on him. There's only one way to get the drugs and money. Fortunately, it requires no effort on your part."

"I'm listening." Black was intrigued by her next scheme.

"We are going the traditional route, ransom bit, that woman is everything to him. We kidnap her he'll do whatever we want. He nearly killed William."

"And what do you think he'll do to both of you when he finds out you have her?" Black could only imagine how postal and or loco he would go. He happened to see William after the tussle and by the looks of her brother it wouldn't end any better for him.

"His hands will be tied and he'll have no choice but to bend." Ellen said reassuringly.

"He won't have any time to act but in the way we want him too. Black you worry me; I think you doubt my skills. I feel I have proven myself." Ellen did her best to appear offended.

"Yes you have. If this works, then there will be no doubt in my mind how crazy you are. Then you'll be solidified if I can get back into this game. If I eat then we all eat you feel me. I got people thinking I fell off."

"Well I'm here to change that. The money we get from daddy Warbucks and the kidnapped princess will be more than enough to put you back on the map. So are you in?" Ellen extended her hand and was satisfied when Black shook it.

Ellen knew he was right. Since she was fucking all his crew she eavesdropped often. There was word in the street that his trap wasn't jumping. She knew people were talking about him becoming a living ghost of drug kingpins past.

Once she eliminated him she would take that throne. She was already working on her persona. She would dick black and then pose as him. Nobody would know where he had gone. It wasn't enough to put him in jail; she was starting to see she had to kill him.

As soon as she got rid of his body she would take his alias. She would pose as him. Using his name and serving his product as if it was coming from him, and her and her crew serving as delivery men. She was already scoping the city for potential members.

She knew how to crawl into the depths of the streets and find those that were desperate. She was even convinced she could get his crew to turn on him. She knew they were envious of Black. Against his word she had been slowly short changing them on their profits.

When they questioned her she would say they were Blacks orders. She knew they wouldn't dare go to him to clarify. They were way too fearful. She used that fear to her advantage. She was slowly turning them against him. Soon everything would be hers.

"I promise you won't be disappointed." Black shook hands with them both, not knowing he had just signed off on his own death sentence.

"I hope not." Ellen and her brother went towards the door when Black stopped them.

"Hey! I didn't get your name." He said to Ellen's brother.

"My names Martin," Ellen turned to him again surprised.

"Alright man, see ya'll in a few on that heist."

They stepped out into the cool air and Ellen immediately pounced on him.

"Why would you tell him your real name idiot?"

"Hush Ellen he doesn't even know me. How he would blow my cover? I tell lots of people my real name. He knows yours." Martin looked at her with cool eyes. He had no doubt in his mind they would pull this off.

"You need to stop with your cockiness. What if Connor finds out how to open the video dipshit, which I think he stole from William."

"He hasn't; he's been waiting on me to meet up with him. Once we meet up I'll knock him out and take Jazz for myself right on their floor. It'll be magical." He laughed sinisterly.

"No, not in the house, take her to the usual spot. I use that spot myself sometime for that type of get away. I'm sure you'll have hours to enjoy her there." Ellen smirked in disgust. She didn't see the allure he found in that. She found making people want you much more satisfying.

"Oh I won't waste a moment. I haven't had a fix in months. I've been saving myself for her. I can't lie it makes me a little angry that Connor got to her first."

"I'm glad you neglected to tell me that you knew him you sonofabitch."

"I couldn't let you know just yet. Now that you do you should have no doubt that the job will get done. The only person that could be an obstacle is his other friend Marcelo."

"Who? Sounds hot," Martin scoffed.

"Please, he's a nobody. He lags behind Connor like a lost puppy. I finally got him to agree to let me meet with Connor instead. Connor won't be on such high alert because he trusts me. It'll be perfect."

"You better be right. I don't deal with fuck ups. You see what happen to William. I need you to stay focused. As soon as you get a shot on Black, I want you to take it."

"As soon as we leave the place with the money get in the back seat. I'll make sure to be driving and I want you to pull the trigger and blow his brains away. Then we'll make him disappear."

"I'll do whatever you want, as long as we still get Jazz."

"Of course, who do you think is going to take over the drugs and money? We are." Ellen smiled at him. Little did he know there would be no we, because she had plans to get rid of him too. She had no room to share. There was only room on the throne for one. Once he took the blame as the culprit she would be running her pin and sucking Mr. Pennington dry for killing off his little problem child.

*

CONNOR WAITED OUTSIDE IN SILENCE WITH WILLIAM UNTIL MARCELO CAME. As soon as Marcelo pulled up he hoped out and pulled a gun on William.

"I'm glad you didn't want to shoot him without me." Marcelo eyed him with pure malice.

"I'm not here to cause trouble, I'm here to help."

"Well, I don't believe after that ass whooping' you would come here to start trouble, but help? To be honest with you Connor I think its total bullshit. And you have five seconds before I put a bullet in your ass."

"Wait, Jazz." Connor and Marcelo crossed looks.

"Call her, and I'll keep him here." Connor kept his gun on William the whole time as Marcelo made the call and came back.

"James said she's knocked out and safe. It checks out." Connor lowered his gun but only slightly.

"Listen I know you have no reason to believe me, but I had weeks to think this through. Ellen left me and I tried to commit suicide. In the mist of that you can say I had a revelation, I realize that I was wrong and I let shit get twisted. I want to help. Don't think I'm a saint. I'm doing it for me. I'm doing it because I know karma got me and I have to do something to make it right."

Connor and Marcelo looked at one another again.

"Search him." Connor said and William was made to slip out of his jeans and t-shirt.

"He's clean." Marcelo said.

"Give me your keys." William tossed them at Marcelo and he searched the car top to bottom.

"Nada," Marcelo shrugged his shoulders.

"Maybe he's just stupid. Just because he came with no weapons doesn't mean he's here for a peace offering."

"I know who's after Jazz. They're relentless. I know you guys think you know a lot but you don't. I don't doubt you could figure it out, but by the time you do it will be too late." William eyed them both as he watched them consider him.


He had long days to sit in pity. He cried and did suicide attempts and then he realize how low he had come. He realized that he had been tricked by power. He was nothing in Ellen's eyes. He never was and all she did was use him. This was his chance to get back at her. Fuck that karma shit he wanted revenge.

"You know who is after Jazz? So that means you were involved." Connor cocked the gun and William stood.

"No I swear I didn't. I really had no idea. Ellen kept me in the dark. I was going to leave the photos in her mail box to scare her. I will admit but I didn't know Ellen had plans so devious. Please, give me a chance to explain. It could save her life." Connor began to pace trying to think.

This went against all the rules. He knew this guy was snake. He had attacked Jazz. His plan was to get this guy put away but now he was a valuable source.

He could put the pieces together for them in a way that they couldn't. He was right they were running out time and he seemed to know a lot.

"I could shoot you for trespassing. Have my buddy here plant a gun on you. Don't fuck with me." William held up his hands.

"I'm here to help. Ellen humiliated me. She used me. I want my revenge and of course to make things right. I don't care about getting back at Jazz. I'm ready to let that go. To show how committed I am. I'm willing to do a written and taped confession that I did attack Jazz. I'm willing to do the time."

William knew on the inside he might have protection. If Ellen found out he told jail would be the safest place for him to be.

Connor tapped the gun to his head in indecision. He looked to Marcelo.

"Let's find out what he knows. Have him do the confession. If anything sounds off we can always kill him." Marcelo looked William in the face and smiled.

"I have nothing to lose." William swallowed pride he didn't have. He knew Ellen had reduced him to nothing and now he would redeem himself and she would rot with him. Marcelo poked the gun at William's back and guided him inside.

William turned around to Marcelo's fist cocked back.

"Sorry buddy but we gotta take precautions." With that Marcelo decked him out cold.

"Was that necessary? I'm sure he would have gone in the chair willingly." Connor laughed.

"That was for my own satisfaction." Marcelo replied.

William woke up minutes later to find himself strapped to a chair. Marcelo and Connor sat on the couch waiting for him to gain consciousness so they could talk.

"You fellas really don't trust me huh?" William asked once he could see straight.

"Just a formality," Marcelo carved his apple with a knife. He figured he might as well have a snack while they waited and popped a piece in his mouth.

"Okay, so we have some information we already know. We'll ask you some questions; if you answer honestly we'll move on. If not, well let's not even think of such horrific things." Connor said and William gulped.

"First question, how do you know Black?" Marcelo asked.

William thought about lying but knew better. He had to tell the truth. They had him tied, literally.

"He was a client of mines. Big time drug dealer who got caught up, I did the best I could but he caught five years, including prison time for his buddies."

"That had to make him angry. Without him there would be a drought. A new dealer would take his place but that didn't happen why?" Connor asked and William felt himself start to sweat.

"Fine, I sold the drugs for him. I sold them, housed them, and made money. I housed them at the rented apartment, and that's why I wanted the property from Jazz. I found out you moved in and I wanted to stage it as if Jazz was having an affair and doing all sorts of things. I wanted to ruin her name, but that wasn't enough for Ellen."

"And who is Ellen; is she really a lawyer?"

"I don't even know. I met her that way. She said she was a lawyer for Mr. Pennington and then a lot of things happened."

"There's the connection!" Marcelo jumped up and grabbed the police reports Jazz had given him.

"She found these on his desk." Connor showed them to William and he nodded.

"Yes, he helped me get the charges erased. He has connections everywhere. He's Ellen's father." Connor stopped in his tracks at the mention of that. The wheels in his head were spinning.

"The Pennington scandal..." Connor said and Marcelo looked confused.

"Why does Mr. Pennington not want to acknowledge Ellen as his daughter?" Connor fired out.

"I don't know. I think he was married and Ellen's mother was his mistress. Plus Ellen is crazy. She robs him for money. They plan on robbing him again with Black, and then setting Black up, her brother is in on it too. He's Jazz's attacker and-"

"Wait! Slow down." Connors held up his hand.

"I'm assuming Black wanted his drugs and money back. You and Ellen told him you would get it back. Hence her being the lawyer, probably because she black balled the senator into giving her a job. She has a brother and he's in on it too. He's also the serial rapist, which explains how he probably got your keys and planted the shit in the house."

Connor summed it up. It all fit like a puzzle piece finally coming together.

"Where can we find him?" Marcelo popped up ready to get the sonofabitch.

"Wait, how do we know she's really his daughter? It fits but-" Connor wasn't sure.

"I ran her prints. She pops up as many aliases. This woman has changed her appearance a lot. She also isn't a certified lawyer. She's his daughter. Been picked up under a different alias for prostitution and drugs, but always manages to get away."

"Prostitution and drugs," Now it was Williams turn to be surprised.

"How does her brother look?" Connor asked.

"That's the thing he looks different each time I see him. The guys a makeup genius, I think it's how he gets away with attacking women."

"Fuck!" Marcelo was angry. He wanted to be able to ID him.

"Calm down. This is perfect. We intercept the robbery and kill two birds with one stone. First we have to get to Black. Get him to help us snag them both."

Connor suggested.

"Doing business with a woman beater and now a drug dealer, Connor were crossing the line." Marcelo warned.

"Would you rather do business with the rapist and the psychopath? We have no choice. They're playing dirty, and we have to play dirty too. We planned on getting close to Black anyway with the drugs. Once we reveal Ellen to him we use him to get them both."

"Ellen's brother is psycho. He has a problem. Ellen uses that to manipulate him. He does whatever she says. Ellen is no better. She's pure evil. I do not doubt you. I'm just letting you know Ellen is very powerful. She has everyone on her side. She had me." William hung his head in shame.

"We'll stop her. Unfortunately, you can't leave our sight. We still can use you so we won't turn you in just yet." Connor motioned for Marcelo to meet him in the kitchen after they made sure William was secure.

"Can you believe this shit?" Marcelo was amazed at this web that was beginning to spin itself.

"We need to get a tracker on Ellen. You think you can do that?" Connor asked. They were so close. As soon as they nabbed the attacker and put Ellen and William away they were home free. Connor hated they had to get a little dirty first but if that's what they had to do.

"Definitely, I think it's time for Anthony to give her a call." Marcelo rubbed his hands together.

"I'll keep William here until I'm certain we need to let him loose. Get the tracker on Ellen and then we make the move on Black. Once we get him aboard we can get him out the picture. We need Ellen and her brother. That's it. The third party would just ruin it."

"Your right but no worries, as always-"

"You're on it." Marcelo and Connor slapped hands, the end was finally nearing.

*

MARCELO WAITED PATIENTLY AS JAZZ FUSSED OVER WHAT HE WAS TO WEAR.

"I fail to understand why I have to look so presentable for a fake date." Marcelo had filled Jazz in on all the details. She was just as perplexed as them.

She was on the fence about Williams's involvement but Marcelo made it clear that she would have no contact with him. She couldn't help but agree with their methods when she heard his recording confession. She figured he must have really wanted revenge on Ellen.

Jazz was starting to get nervous. They were so close to ending it all. All they had to do was track them all the way until the robbery and tail all of the evidence.

"I'm sorry but Ellen's desperate but not enough to want the wolf man. You needed to shave, and get dressed up. Haven't you been on a date before?" Jazz teased.

"My dates usually only have one purpose. You see where love gets you?" He poked her stomach.

"Hardy har har, very funny big guy, has Connor mentioned me?" Jazz was still un sure about how to approach him. He seemed to distance himself even more from her and she was worried it was indeed too late despite the advice.

"Well seeing as this elaborate scheme revolves around keeping you safe you've come up."