Out of Control

“I just came from talkin’ to Howard.”

“What Howard say?”

“He said, he ain’t the one for all the gun play no more, but whatever I need he got me.”

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Sherman laughed. “Sounds like something Howard would say.”

“Howard never was much of a trigger man.”

“Maybe not now, but you can count on Howard to do whatever needs to be done.” Sherman paused and thought for a minute. “Do you remember Larry White and them two niggas he used to run with, Mills and Keywell?”

“I remember them.”

“You know the three of them used to work for Charlie Rock. They knew they were in deep ’cause Charlie and Jimmy were dead, and they thought Black was gonna kill them and if he didn’t Vincent would. On top of that, they owed Howard a lot of money.”

“What they owe Howard for?”

“They owed Howard ’cause they came up short on some money for Vince after Charlie died and they wanted to get him to hold off until they could make the money back,” Sherman said. “Howard told them that he would get in touch with them and that something would be worked out.”

“Why they come to Howard when we were at war?” Nick asked.

We? Sherman felt a little strange about Nick saying we were at war since he wasn’t there.

“You gotta remember, back in those days before the war we was all one big happy family. Larry and Howard used to do business sometimes.” Sherman thought he needed to clarify that statement. “But after he went with Black he got outta the business all together. That made Howard the perfect go-between. He was partners with Black in the bookmaking operation and like I said, he used to do business with Larry.”

“Black know about this?”

“Sure Black knew. That nigga is psychic. Howard was sittin’ right where you are talkin’ to me about it when Black came in with Freeze and Bobby. He had heard that Larry had been reachin’ out to Howard and you know Black, he saw an opportunity. Vickie was still fresh in his mind and he wanted to wipe out anybody who dealt drugs.”

“I don’t know why Larry didn’t see that shit coming,” Nick said.

“Larry, Chilly and a whole lot of people, myself and Howard included just thought that Black and that no drug shit was just a way for Black to wipe out the competition and once it was over, he would take over the drug game and be bigger than André.”

“Guess he fooled everybody,” Nick said.

“It didn’t matter to me. I’m numbers man, I never did get into that drug shit anyway, but Larry and them thought they would get back in with Black and be set when he got back in.”

“I know he thought a peace conference sounded like a good place to hit them.”

“You know it. So Howard met the men at the door of the apartment. When they came in I turned up the music. Larry said he was glad to see us. His boys, Mills and Keywell were with him.”

“Was Black there?”

“Not at first, but he sent over a couple women and said he’d be there later. So these niggas is laid back, relaxed fuckin’ with the women, you know, gettin’ their jimmies waxed.”

Nick laughed. “That sounds like something Black would do.”

“He sent them niggas out right. So Black, Bobby and Freeze get there and the women leave. The deal was that they were supposed to pay Howard back the fifty they owed him plus ten g’s for Black. After everybody exchanged greetings, Larry, Mills and Keywell sat next to each other on a couch and Freeze took a seat on the arm. They talked for a few minutes. Then Larry gave up the money. Black looked at Bobby, ‘Where’s Wanda?’ Bobby said something about going to look for her and him and Black left the apartment. Black got in the car and laid on the horn. I told Howard that was the signal,” Sherman recalled. “Howard pulled out his gun and fired at Larry and the bullet went right by my nose. At the same time, me and Freeze fired at Mills and Keywell. Then Howard fired again and hit Larry in the head.”

Nick stood up. “Howard the trigger man. Glad to know he can handle himself.”

“If it comes down to it, you can count on Howard to do whatever needs to be done. And that goes for me too,” Sherman said and walked Nick out.

His next spot was Clay’s Garage to talk to Chance. After Nick explained the situation and Chance told Nick about Grant’s unexpected visit, he had a decision to make. “I ain’t supposed to tell you this, but Rain was by here tonight.”

Nick didn’t look surprised. He didn’t think Rain was sick and knew she was up to something. His first thought was drugs. “What she want?”