Black stood up. I started for the door thinking that Black would just take the money and be back on that ass again tomorrow. But not this time. Black raised his gun and fired two shots to Wilson’s head.
This is how it went. André would send Black to collect, and Black would kill them. After awhile, André sent Black away before he killed everybody that sold for him.
Wanda yawned and got up from the couch. "I’m going to get some coffee, you want some?" she asked.
"No, Wanda, I’m fine."
"I know." Wanda whispered.
She turned away and walked into the kitchen. I watched her walk. Although we had spent the last nine hours together, this was the first time I noticed how pretty Wanda was. Not the tall skinny girl we used to tease as kids. Before yesterday, it had been ten years since I had seen her. And I probably wouldn’t have called her if I weren’t in this trouble. I felt pretty selfish. She had spent the night fencing with Kirk. I know she’s tired, but she has no plans for sleeping until she has the whole story. Black posted a million dollars to bail me out. They were my family and I would never turn my back on them again.
"Sure you won’t have some?" Wanda said, with a deep yawn.
"I’m sure. Why don’t you get some rest? I know you must be tired. Get some sleep and we’ll start again in the morning when you wake up."
"I don’t think so, Nick. You wanna know why?"
"Yeah, Wanda, tell me why."
"Because as soon as I went to sleep, you would leave and I’d never get the whole story. And I need to know the whole story. You do understand that, don’t you, Nick?"
"I understand, Wanda."
"Good for you. Which reminds me. Why didn’t you tell me about killing André?"
"Black said not to. He said if you ever asked, to ask you if the words conspiracy to commit murder mean anything to you counselor?"
Wanda rolled her eyes. "That’s the same ten cent answer I got from him. Even though it didn’t turn out that way."
"What’s that supposed to mean?"
"Nothing." Wanda looked away.
Whatever it was, it was something to her, but I didn’t push it. "Black’s always thinking ahead, ain’t he? Always thinking about us."
"That’s just how he is, you know that. He cares. Even though he’ll never admit to it. That’s why this thing with you and Bobby over Camille hurts him so much."
"I’m sorry."
"Why don’t you tell him yourself?"
I didn’t have a reason.
* * *
Chapter Six
Saturday, July 11: 3:28 PM
The next afternoon I drove to Brooklyn to see Ben Josephs. I gave some thought to what I was doing. I was driving to Brooklyn to see a blackmailer. In Brooklyn, of all places. I hate Brooklyn. I pulled up in front of the lot. I didn’t want to just walk in there and ask for him. So I decided to call and pose as a businessman who wanted to buy no less then five cars for a Limo service. That should be enough to get him to meet me somewhere. "Ben Josephs, please."
"He’s out on a test drive with a customer. Can one of our other salesman help you?"
"He’s not the owner?"
"No, Sir. Can one of our other salesman help you?"
"No, that’s all right, thanks."