Little White Lies (40 page)

Rumble’s eyes widen in anger, accompanied by a quick derisive smile.

“Hey, Rumble, come on, grab a seat,” A.J. calls from his place behind the bar.

He may have witnessed the small confrontation, I don’t know, but it doesn’t make any difference. I don’t think this little visit has anything to do with old times’ sake and all that jazz. And I think it may have everything to do with leaning on A.J. for some serious favors. The kind of favors you can count and then stick in your pocket. Wealthy men attract people such as these worthies like honey draws flies. Not bees, flies. Flies don’t work for a living.

Rumble pauses for effect to insure my awareness of the enormity of his decision. He really has to tear himself away from me. He wants to make a statement… of the physical variety. Right now, so do I. This business of being an asshole must be contagious.

“What’ll it be, boys,” A.J. asks like any good bartender would at such a fine gathering. He continues to be the perfect host.

Dealer looks at A.J. and shakes his head.

“Look, A.J.,” Dealer begins, “we ain’t here for drinks and talk. We’re here to do a little bidnez.”

The others shake their heads in agreement and let Dealer continue to carry the ball as if by prior agreement.

“It seems you ain’t got no time for the neighborhood anymore. It’s been a while since you been around… but we ain’t here to talk about that neither.”

A.J. has learned patience and he waits quietly for Dealer to make his point, for there is no longer any question about it… a point is going to be made. These men definitely have an agenda and they are going tosee it through. I must admit they have managed to get my attention.

Dealer has paused for thought, and appears in no hurry to get to the main subject of this meeting. Finally he looks up and fixes his gaze on A.J.

“We have been talking, A.J., and we think it’s time you did right by your old friends.”

A.J. nods, not in agreement, but in understanding. His friends, however, may mistake his intent, but A.J. doesn’t let the impression go for long.

“What exactly do you have in mind?” he asks with a slight smile.

“We think it’s time you helped out your friends… your real friends.”

I’m not sure, but I think this last remark may be a veiled reference to yours truly. On the other hand… who cares?

“What exactly are you after… a loan, a job… what?” A.J. asks with real interest in his tone of voice.

I’m amazed at the degree of civility he’s maintaining. I’m not sure I could do the same with these jerks. Right about now I’ll bet A.J. is wondering what he ever had in common with lowlifes such as these three.

“Neither,” replies Dealer quickly. “A loan has to be paid back and a job might mean work. We don’t intend to do either.”

A.J. laughs.

“That leaves only gifts, and it’s too early for Christmas. This is beginning to sound like I’m not interested.”

A very long silence ensues.

“I think you will be interested… maybe in spite of yourself,” Dealer adds almost as an afterthought.

“How would that be?” A.J. asks.

“Well, A.J.,” Dealer continues, “there is one other option you haven’t discussed or apparently thought of… and it’s worth a lot of money… especially to you.”

“Go on,” A.J. prompts, “I’m waiting.”

“I’m talking about insurance… peace of mind.”

“Insurance?” A.J. retorts. “You mean protection?”

“Not protection,” Dealer replies, “more like security.”

“Still not interested,” A.J. says with a smile. “Thanks to Phil, here, I have all the security I will ever need.”

“Well I’m not talking about security out here. I was thinking more about the old neighborhood.”

A.J. tenses visibly, but otherwise he shows no emotion. I think we’re both finally catching on, and if we’re right, it isn’t going to be pretty from here on in. Dealer continues to look at A.J. directly with a self-satisfied smile on his face. Displaying the patience of a master teacher with a slow student, he waits for A.J. to come up with the right answer, but A.J. won’t give him the satisfaction by making any further guesses or comments.

“If I had your money and I still had my parents living in such a dangerous place as our neighborhood, I would want them protected day and night. You know how rough things can get back there, A.J.”

A.J. seems to be speechless. I know him well enough to realize what is probably going on in hismind right now. No matter, we cannot let this go any further, and we cannot let these people leave here without some sort of resolution. Their threat of potential violence is too real. And under no circumstances can we let the threat stand. A.J. will never get another night’s sleep with this hanging over his head.

I casually walk to the desk and punch a key to alert the security team on duty. I do not intend to let these people leave here without learning what a mistake it is to threaten A.J. If I can’t convince them of the error of their ways, they may not leave here at all. They watch with indifference as I walk slowly back to the bar and take a position off to the side where I can speak to all three directly.

“You may have made a mistake coming here with your demands,” I begin. “On the other hand, maybe not… perhaps this is an opportunity for all of us. But just for the record, what kind of money are we talking about? We may have a non-event on our hands. No sense getting worked up over nothing.”

The three men look at me and then back to A.J.

“Phil’s my business manager,” A.J. offers. “Anything we talk about will have to include him.”

Lightning Fast and Rumble look to Dealer for a response.

“Okay,” Dealer begins, “we’ll start low and slow. We’re talking about a grand a week for each of us. It’s a lot of responsibility… making sure A.J.’s family is safe and sound. Any expenses would be extra, of course.”

“That’s it? Just money?” I ask.

Dealer nods. “That’s it for now. Maybe more later… like transportation in the event we need to travel on occasion.”

He smiles and elbows his buddy, Lightning. They are all enjoying the moment.

“You have made your point and your pitch,” I reply slowly, “and now we’ll make ours. You have brought up a good point about security in the old neighborhood. None of us have thought about it… didn’t realize the danger, I suppose. But I want to be sure you are capable of holding up your end. That is… we don’t intend to hire protection from people incapable of doing the job properly. So I suggest we adjourn to the gym to check out your credentials. Fair enough?”

Without waiting for any response, A.J. walks around the bar and we both lead the way to the gym. A.J. doesn’t know exactly what’s coming, but he’s all for getting out of here at this point. We get as far as the door and turn. The three men are still sitting at the bar, seemingly confused by the quick turn of events.

“What’s the matter, guys? You’re not scared are you?” A.J. challenges. “If you’re going to look after my interests in the hood, then you’d better be able to handle yourselves.” His voice drops lower and becomes more determined. “Come on you chickenshit bastards.”

The men move as one and follow us across the foyer. We walk down the hallway. There’s a man on the stairs and another back by the kitchen. We’re sort of surrounded… by the good guys. Right now,although they don’t know it, our job applicants couldn’t leave here if they wanted to.

A.J. pushes the gym doors open and we enter single file. It’s our good fortune that tonight is a scheduled training session and four of the security staff are standing about in their karate training gear. This happy happenstance affords us a few options we ordinarily wouldn’t have at this time of day.

“Gentlemen!” I call out, clapping my hands to get their attention. “We have a tryout today for a new security team.” Pointing to the three candidates who seem to be growing more reluctant by the minute, “These men would be responsible for the safety and welfare of A.J.’s family in the city. Although their offer is unsolicited, we are going to arrange an evaluation of sorts. In order to establish their credentials, we would like to have a tryout. This will be a no holds barred trial. In other words, anything goes, sort of a tough man contest. We want to establish conditions that would be as realistic as possible… the kind of thing likely to happen in the street.”

The four security men look somewhat amused. I turn and look at the three would-be extortionists. They don’t look too happy right now. One might even think somewhat apprehensive. Lightning’s eyes are darting back and forth like he’s watching a pinball machine from the inside.

“As I said, I want this to be as realistic as possible,” I continue, looking at the wiseguys, “so we will have the three of you attack one of our men. No one else will participate, regardless of the outcome. That’s a guarantee. Quickly now, make your selection or I will do it for you.”

Lightning Fast and Rumble look momentarily at Dealer.

“It’s your call, Rumble,” Dealer says, eyeing the men, “this is more your bag than mine.”

“Let’s go, gentlemen. We don’t have time to discuss things like this. Make up your minds… you have until the count of three. One, two, … “

“You!” Rumble shouts, pointing at Max. the smallest of the four men.

Max is the smallest, but possibly the most vicious man in our entire crew. Probably has the old Napoleon, short-man complex. If he does, he has it in spades. Without further ado, Max launches himself at Lightning Fast with a flying kick that misses Fast’s head by a fraction of an inch. But it was nothing more than a diversion, spinning in mid-air, Max lands on his left foot and continues spinning towards Dealer. Max lashes out with another kick that lands smack in Dealer’s groin. Dealer groans and slowly curls forward and falls to the floor.

Lightning Fast has moved to the side, while Rumble begins to dance, prepping himself for the combat to come. Meanwhile, both Rumble and Lightning Fast have moved apart. Everyone spreads out to give the combatants all the room they need. Max immediately charges Lightning Fast with a quick series of kicks, none of which are designed to land. Driving the taller man back, Max continues the attack until he senses Rumble approaching from the rear.

Suddenly Max spins and delivers a backhand smash to Rumble’s mouth. It’s a good solid shot and blood sprays with the impact. Rumble backs up a step as he holds the back of his hand to his face momentarily to check the flow of blood.

It’s not a knockout blow, but Rumble is stalled for the moment. Not one to waste time, Max immediately turns and renews his attack on Lightning Fast. The bigger man’s hands are quick, but he’s not trained for this sort of activity and the ferocity of Max’s onslaught is unrelenting. Up until now Max’s kicks have all been aimed at his opponent’s upper body. A sudden sidekick lands square on Lightning’s knee and an audible ‘pop’ is heard. As if in slow motion, the taller man begins to fall. His lowering head presents too tempting a target and Max delivers… a savage round-kick puts an end to Lightning’s conscious participation.

Max now turns his full attention to Rumble who appears somewhat discomfited by the change in the odds. But before attacking Rumble, Max sidesteps to face Dealer, who is still moaning on the floor. A soccer-style kick to Dealer’s face puts a permanent end to any possible further participation by this candidate. This move is in the best possible tradition of a street fight. Never leave a wounded man at your back… you may regret it later on. No need to worry about that possibility with Max around.

One on one now, Max smiles for the first time.

“You wanted me, baby. Now you got me all to yourself.”

Rumble doesn’t seem as sure as Max that this turn of events is to his liking. But whatever Rumble is, he’s no coward. He has seen what Max is capable of and he has no intention of letting it happen to him. Max, for his part, seems to sense that Rumble represents the most serious threat. The two men circle one another slowly. Then Max begins a series of kicks designed to unbalance and confuse his opponent. While the kicks may not be meant to strike, there are certainly no guarantees… the margin of error is too small. Max spins and kicks… first high, then low and then strikes out with his right leg towards Rumble’s left knee. Rumble stoops to fend off the blow, his first major mistake and Max grabs his arm as he attempts to straighten up. Max pulls Rumble towards him and delivers an elbow strike to the right side of Rumble’s head. Rumble counters with a hard left hook to Max’s shoulder and a right to the ribs that shakes the smaller man and moves him to the side. Max’s mouth twitches with pain, the only indication he has been hit hard.

But the impact of Max’s blow is solid enough to stun Rumble and that’s all the opening Max needs. Rumble tries to back away from the attack, but three quick blows to the right side of Rumble’s head and he’s going down… down to the range where Max likes to kick someone’s lights out… and that’s exactly what he proceeds to do. Max strikes Rumble square in the face with his knee. popping his head up and back. Max’s next kick is to Rumble’s sternum. An audible ‘whoosh’ is heard as Rumble heads for the floor and the inevitable finishing kick to the face.

Max knows a kick to the face isn’t going to do much more damage, but it’s one way to mark your opponent with a visible reminder that will require some explaining for the next few weeks.

It’s a good half-hour before all the participants are ready for any further conversation, but we are a patient lot and we wait quietly. I asked A.J. to leave the room for I do not think this is something he should be a part of at this point. The message I have for them does not have to be shouted at the top of my voice, but I want them to hear and understand every word. Finally all three are completely awake and aware of their surroundings. Understandably, they are a bit uncomfortable, but that falls under the heading of: too bad. There are other headings it could fall under, but the children might still be awake.

“I want you to listen to what I have to say to you now… just so there isn’t any confusion on the subject,” I begin. “We are going to accept part of your offer… the part where you have a vested interest in the well being of A.J.’s parents. However we are not going to pay you any money for this service. But I want you to understand what will happen to you if any harm comes to those fine people. If anything happens to either one of A.J.’s parents, or anyone else in his family, we will assume you had something to do with it, and we will hunt you down and make you pay. What happened to you here today will look like child’s play.