“Wouldn’t be in the market for a great singer and dancer, would you?” Jacara asked and hoped he’d say yes.
Black pointed at the band. “I already got an act. And this really isn’t your type of venue. This is more of a dance club. You’re more of a sit down and drink singer.”
“I see,” Jacara said. She was disappointed, but she wasn’t about to beg for work by saying that she could sing anything. “I saw Michelle and Ms. Collins at the bazaar the other day. Did they tell you?”
“No,” Black lied “They didn’t mention seeing you there.”
“Michelle is getting so big.”
“Yes, she’s quite the little lady these days.”
“And congratulations on the baby,” Jacara said.
“Thank you,” Black said and saw Harry Walker and two of his men come though the door. Jamaica, Bobby and two more of Jamaica’s men approached him immediately. He looked at Jacara. “Look, Jacara. You know that you are more than welcome to stay on the island as long as you want and try to find work. But honestly, for reasons I’m sure you understand I would prefer that you didn’t.”
Jacara looked shocked.
“Now if you’d excuse me, I have a meeting to go to. Nice to see you Jacara.” Without another word, Black got up and walked quickly toward Harry Walker. Jacara watched and fought back her tears as the two men shook hands and Black led him to the office, followed closely by Bobby, Jamaica and Harry’s men. When the door closed, Jacara got up and all but ran out of The Grill. When she came in, Jacara had decided that she was going to take her chances and tell Black the truth. She felt it was better that he knew who she was and what she had done and hear it from her, instead of finding out about it from somebody else. Now, Jacara stood outside and wondered where she would go and what she would do next. She walked away knowing that her deadly secret would remain a secret.
“Have a seat, Harry.”
“Thank you,” Harry said and sat down.
“I was hoping that I’d have a chance to meet your lovely wife Deidra tonight. I’ve heard so much about her,” Black said with a smile on his face that made Harry wonder.
“I thought this was something the men should discuss. No need for woman to be involved,” Harry said and laughed nervously.
“You’re absolutely right. So let’s get to it. I’m glad that you decided to accept our invitation.”
“I wasn’t like you left me much choice,” Harry said.
“You always have a choice. That’s what life is all about. Choice. You can choose to do one thing or the other, but you choose to talk.”
“Look, Mon, I come here to make peace before things go any further.”
“I’m glad you made that decision, if you were willing to commit to violence you wouldn’t be sitting there.”
Black reached across the desk and extended his hand in friendship, but Harry got up and walked out. His men followed him out.
Bobby and Jamaica looked at them as they left, then they looked at Black. “Guess we don’t have a deal,” Bobby said.
“Was it something I said?” Black asked and started laughing.
When Harry got home he was on fire. He came in the house and started slamming doors. When Deidra heard the door slam, she knew things didn’t go well with Black. “What happened, Harry? Did they want more than twenty percent?”
“We didn’t even get to that,” Harry said and poured himself a drink. He drunk it and poured another.
“What do you mean, it didn’t get that far? What happened, Harry?”
“The man disrespected me.”
Deidra dropped her head. “How did he disrespect you?”
“He called me a coward. Said I was there because I was afraid to use violence.”
“And?”
Harry threw his glass against the wall. “I am not afraid!” he screamed. “If he want to play rough, I will show him that Harry Walker can play this game just as good as he can.”