URBAN: Chosen By A Kingpin (83 page)

“I’m Michael Deveneau, a good friend of Blake’s, Tara’s husband. I was in the neighborhood, well the city and thought I would drop by to say hello and offer my services in any way.”

Tara was at a loss for words.

“Well thank you Michael, that’s a first because we have never seen Blake, so it’s much appreciated. Come on in. This is Mya, Tara’s sister and Jamal her boyfriend and sitting over here is my old man, Tara’s dad Mister Williams.”

Tara could see Mya’s stance change from happy go lucky to rebel in an instant. Jamal was a lot cooler and actually shook Michael’s hand and dad didn’t say shit.

“Pleased to meet you all.”

Mya moved in closer, gently nudging her mom out of the way. “So, you say you were just in the neighborhood. I don’t know too many white folks in this neighborhood besides mom. Who were you visiting?”

Michael seemed to tense up a bit, but just for a moment. “Let me correct that. I was in Indiana, well actually in Chicago on a business meeting, so I drove here from there.”

“You ever been to East Chicago Michael?”

“No, can’t say I have, but GPS is a Godsend.”

They all laughed. And for a moment things returned to normal. Michael made himself comfortable on the couch next to Tara’s father. He told stories of his upbringing, his basketball days, his volunteer works and on and on.

While her dad and Michael talked, Mya pulled her sister to the side. “Who is he?”

“He is Blake’s friend from college?”

Mya gave her another look.

“Who do you think you’re fooling Tara. You’re fucking him! And he so damned pussy-whipped that he couldn’t let you leave for one weekend without tracking you down where even your husband wouldn’t travel.”

Tara turned from Mya. “I’m not doing this Mya. You know nothing. Nothing about my life, so stay the fuck out of it!”

“I would. I have. But when you bring complete white strangers to our home that’s when you cross the line and the fact, which I’m pretty sure is a fact that you are fucking this man, which also means you are cheating on your white husband, it causes me a lot of concern. So my sister it is my business!”

Tara was annoyed. Annoyed with Michael just showing up at her place. How the hell did he get her address? She was annoyed that Mya was blaming her for it, when she knew nothing about it and completely annoyed that Blake was still overseas and hadn’t called her. Despite the situation she would make it work to keep the peace.

“Tara, “her mom called. “Michael was just telling us that he is purchasing the old Carlton Winery on Bill Street. Can you believe that? He says old man Carlton himself met with him.”

“Really? Wow, that’s nice.”

Michael interjected. “Yes, that fellow is a master negotiator, I mean I couldn’t get a word in other wise. He practically talked me down out of my price.”

Jamal and Mya said nothing and left the room. Tara followed.

“Hey, that was rude. What’s up with you two? “

Mya threw up her hands. “Tell her Jamal!”

“What?”

“Old man Carlton has been dead for over 20 years. He died when I was in grade school. His son, Carlton Jr. died in a house fire five years ago. That building has been abandoned and burned down for over 15 years. In other words Tara, your friend is telling a big fat lie and not only that he is lying about a lot of things. I didn’t call him out on it, because he is your friend but half the stuff he was telling your dad is bullshit. Trust me. Now why he’s lying, I don’t know but my intuition tells me he this isn’t his first time and won’t be his last.”

“Tara,” Mya asked. “How much do you know about him? I mean, you let him in our house and you don’t even know him.”

Tara placed her head over her head. The truth was, not much. She knew he was married, had a wife and child who died in a car accident years ago. He was rich. He went to Harvard with Blake and they were friends, other than that…she knew only what he told her.

“Okay, okay. I’ll get him to leave. I’m sorry.”

She called Michael to the door.

“Hey, I want to thank you for this gesture but I think this would be a good time for you to go. Dad needs his rest and it’s been a long day for all of us.”

“Oh, okay. I thought your dad was enjoying our conversation, but okay. I’ll just stop by tomorrow.”

“No Michael, you will not. I will see you when I get back to Potomac. I came here to spend time with my family and that is what I intend on doing.”

He pulled her outside the door.

“What the fuck is wrong with you? At least I came here to support you. Where is Blake, tell me? Look around you, nowhere and you want me to go. Alright, Fine.”

She couldn’t believe he took it there. She turned around hoping that no one else heard him, especially not her dad.

“Really! Leave Michael. Leave now!”

“Is it Blake? He doesn’t love you Tara, believe me, he doesn’t. You really need to think about this, think about us.”

“No Michael it’s not Blake. Me and Blake will figure things out. I shouldn’t have ever …ahhh. I can’t do this now. Please go!”

“Tara! Okay, yeah. I love you! You have to believe that. I’ll see you back in Potomac.” He said.

***

“Creepy!” Jamal said.

“I don’t like him.” Her father said. “You stay away from him Tara. There is something not quite right about him.”

This couldn’t have made Tara feel worst until Kati called.

“Kati, how are you? What’s going on?”

“I’m sorry Miss, I have bad news. Miss Eleanor has passed away.”

Tara was on her way to the airport when Blake called.

“Blake, baby, how are you?”

“Oh Tara, mother is gone and I don’t know what to do? When are you coming home?”

Blake sounded strange, like he had been drinking. She could understand clearly because he was hurting, but she had never heard him like this.

“I’m on my way Blake. I should be there in the next two hours at the most.”

“Hurry darling, I need you. I can’t find anything and Kati is not helping.”

That was not like Kati to not help, but Tara expected that Blake had probably gotten on Kati’s nerves with his whimpering.

“It’s okay honey. I will be home soon and I will help you. Just go to bed and when you wake up I’ll be there, I promise.

He agreed and she hung up.

When she arrived home the house was dark, darker than usual. She suspected that Kati had retired to her quarters and Blake was upstairs in their suite. She sat her suitcase by the door and headed to the kitchen for a glass of water, she stopped when she heard the music.

Where was it coming from?

Tara followed the music out to the veranda where she found Blake stripped down to his boxer shorts, lying prone on the lounger. He was surrounded by bottles. She picked them up and carried them to the kitchen. When she returned Blake was gone.

“Blake?” She called.

No answer.

“Blake?”

Blake grabbed her from behind. “Baby,” he slurred. “You’re home. I’m so glad you’re home.”

“Blake, come on baby let’s get you to bed.”

“No, I don’t want to go to bed. I want to dance. I want to drink. I want to celebrate.”

He was being extremely strange and although she knew he was grieving she didn’t expect this.

“Blake, you already had enough to drink, come on, and let me help you to bed.”

He sang. “Ding Dong, the witch is dead, the bad ole witch is dead.” He laughed nearly tossing them both over the lounger.

“Okay now. I can’t do this. You sleep here and I’ll get you a cover.”

“Tara. She hated you, you know.”

Tara stopped. “Yes, I know, but I didn’t hate her and I will do all I can to make sure to send her in grand style.”

“I don’t care about that shit! I don’t care about her…I’m free. Just like that she went to sleep.”

“What do you mean Blake, is that what they told you, the doctors?”

He laughed again.

“No doctors.” He sipped again from his glass. “Just me.”

“Blake, I don’t understand what you are saying.”

“Michael said it would be easy.”

“What? Michael! What does Michael have to do with this? Blake?”

“Michael is my friend. He has always looked out for me. He’ll look out for you too Tara. He likes you, I can tell, but what you don’t know is he likes me too!”

Tara let go of Blake and he fell to the floor. What the fuck was going on here? Blake was talking about Michael like he was his lover or something. It didn’t make sense.

“Blake, you know about me and Michael? He told you?”

“Yes, I sent him to you love. You are special to me and so is he. I gave you to him as a gift. Michael likes gifts.”

“You what?” She slapped him. “Look at me Blake! What the hell are you talking about?”

Blake fell off the lounger and laughed.

“Why are you so mad? You liked it. In fact you loved it! I saw it all. I watched how he stripped you down to nothing and took you on the floor. You liked it Tara and so did I.”

Tara screamed and paced. “This is such bullshit! What kind of sick games are you and Michael playing? I’m your wife Blake! Your wife! You just give your wife away?”

“You don’t understand. I had to. I had no choice, just like I had no choice with mother. When Michael arrived he had something on me. Something so devastating, something that if ever came out I would lose everything. First he wanted money, but mother refused to pay him. I didn’t have claims to the amount he wanted, then he saw you and he wanted you.

“You motherfucker! You think you sold me? I’m out of here, I swear fuck you and fuck him and fuck this whole damn bizarre ass life!”

“Tara, you can’t leave, he won’t let you. I can’t let you!”

“Try and stop me!” She said.

Blake grabbed the side table and threw it Tara. She fell to the ground, but got up and kicked him in the stomach. Blake grimaced, grabbed her leg and threw her to the ground.

“You can’t stop it Tara. If you won’t be his woman, he has buyers for you and they will pay real good money for you and you will never see your family or anyone else again. You think this is slavery, this is heaven compared to what they will put you through.”

He reached into a small bag and pulled out a needle.

“This will just sting a bit and then you won’t remember a thing. When you wake up darling you will be in China, or Russia, who knows.”

Tara struggled with all her might to get away from Blake, she kicked and bit him while he tried stabbing her with the needle.

“Stop Blake! Stop!” She screamed. Blake stuck her with the needle and slowly but surely everything around her seemed to slow up.

“See, it’s like I said. No pain sweetheart.”

Then doors opened and several men entered the room shouting. “Get down! Get down!”

Blake was confused and started to stand.

The men shouted again. “Get down!” Tackled him to the ground and placed cuffs on him.

“What is this all about? Who are you people?” Blake searched the faces of the strangers, he didn’t recognize any of them, until one stepped forward.

“Michael?”

Michael didn’t say anything. He kneeled down next to Tara. “Get the EMI’s in here now. He gave her the drug.”

“Michael,” He laughed. “What is going on?”

“Blake Fitzgerald, you are under arrest charged with human trafficking and other federal offenses.”

Blake laughed. “Oh no, you? You are a fed? You sold me out Michael? You were the fucking one who got me into this mess.” He screamed. “Did he tell you all that? He is the trafficker! He tried to buy my wife.”

Michael stepped over Blake. “Take him away now!”

Blake was still screaming when they took him away. “You won’t get away with it Michael. I’ve got people, more people than you and I will be out and I will get everything back you took from me. Everything! You can’t win!”

***

Tara came to the hospital. She didn’t know how she got there or what happened after Blake inserted the needle into her arm, but she was glad that she was able to get away from him. A nurse entered her room.

“How you feeling Mrs. Fitzgerald?”

Wow, it had been awhile since she heard anyone call her that without a rebuttal from the real Mrs. Fitzgerald. She almost declined to answer.

“Good. Do you know when I will be released?”

“No ma’am, but once the doctor sees you and gives you an okay we will be able to let you know.”

There was a knock at the door.

“Can I come in?” A man asked.

“Who is that?” Tara asked.

“I think it’s the Feds. They have been here all morning.”

“The Feds? Come in.”

When Michael walked through the door she jumped up from her bed. “No, not him. Get him out of here! Get him out of here!”

“Wait, wait, Tara, you don’t understand. It’s not what you think.”

“Yes it is. Blake told me everything. He told me about you, all about you! You should be locked up with Blake.”

Michael turned to the nurse and she excused herself.

“Ahhh, listen. I guess I need to start from the beginning. My name is Michael Harris Deveneau. I sometimes go by Michael Harris and sometimes Michael Deveneau. I am not rich, not a billionaire. That pretty little condo you visited was courtesy of the Federal Government, all a part of a sting. Tara, I am a Federal Agent and for the last month I have been working undercover to catch your husband and anyone else who was involved.”

“I don’t believe you. You slept with me and he knew about it. You call that undercover work? What kind of shit is that? Is that what Agents do now, bed their suspects?”

“No Tara. That shouldn’t have happened. That was not a part of the plan, just like falling in love with you was not a part of the plan. It happened and I am just as embarrassed, saddened, sick, and angry that I had to put you through that without an explanation. When I came to Indiana, I came to see you, to clear you of all wrong doing. So I could say to my superiors, she is not involved, she had no knowledge of what her husband is doing. I wanted to tell you then, but I couldn’t.”

Tara looked away. “Where is Blake?”

“Blake is being transferred to Federal Prison awaiting arraignment.”

She cried. “He said he sold me to you. Do you know how that felt? I couldn’t believe it. I couldn’t believe he would sell me like cattle. What was he doing?”