Thin Ice 6 - Hangman & Socrates Read online

  “Now my goddaughter is paying the price,” he said again as his anger rose yet another time.

  He and Carlo had been through a lot and done a lot together, but he would never have thought the man capable of allowing his own flesh and blood to get lost in the system. She was the same age as Ian and Cartier could not imagine his son trapped in a house with strangers susceptible to any and every abuse they wanted to heap on them. Thinking about his sons made Cartier sigh deeply once again. He needed them to leave Chicago. With him off the streets now, it was only a matter of time before some new crew rose to power and his son’s would be in danger. He immediately made up his mind to have Quenton get one of the Association’s lieutenants up here to see him. He had some orders to give. Cartier began to brood, thinking of the places he wanted to send them. Raven had already moved to Philadelphia with Jalen a couple of years ago. They never had that daughter together and she never forgave him for not keeping his promise.

  “Not meant to be,” Cartier reasoned and dismissed it from his thought, his mind going back to the original task, making sure his sons were safe and out of harm’s way.

  5

  Carlo had endured the last two months of watching the endless parade of people the State supplied to testify against him. Some were former associates Carlo didn’t plan to allow to breathe much longer, others were people seemingly off the street who happened to know he existed. Finally both sides had their say and his fate was in the hands of the jurors. Not that he held out any hope of escaping prison, Carlo simply wanted them take a nice long time to deliberate. No one understood why he decided to force a trial and endure all the publicity and drama that came with it, but Carlo knew exactly what he was doing. Pleading guilty would only hasten his end. Being placed in a metal cage for the rest of his life, cooped up like an animal they were trying to break and train to heed their various commands. Even being shackled in the courtroom as the trial went on, he was still outside of a cage and free. Carlo sighed deeply thinking about Lauren. All he knew was she’d been placed in a foster home. He was absolutely furious with how she’d been snatched from under his nose without his consent. He still had several loyal lieutenants looking for her but so far they hadn’t been able to crack the bureaucratic red tape involved. It’s that bitch Kaitlyn Ross’s damned fault, Carlo groused as he continued to sit at the defendants table.

  The judge finally finished instructing the jurors as they all nodded thoughtfully and rose to leave the courtroom. A couple snuck sly glances at Carlo as they exited only to find his gaze fixed solidly on them as well. Quickly turning around they scurried out of the courtroom and away from Carlo’s dark stare.

  “Come on Cisneros,” the jailer told him calmly.

  Carlo rose and allowed himself to be led as he hobbled awkwardly behind the jailer, heading to the cell at county once more. Riding in the bullet proofed car that was provided, given his notoriety, he once again pondered all the things that led to their business being raided and both he and Cartier were facing life behind bars. Carlo’s mind went back to their beginnings. After forging a friendship at Raven’s place, Carlo and Cartier began their crime spree, robbing various small businesses, roughing up rival dealers and finally moving product of their own. It didn’t come without a price however, as they came face to face with Errol ‘Dillinger’ Freeman. He’d picked up the nickname in honor of the late mobster, John Dillinger, saying how he liked the man’s style and demeanor. Errol was every bit the persona of his namesake.

  He invited them over at the urging of his only daughter, whom he loved without question and who he spoiled scandalously without apology. The meeting went well and Dillinger fronted them 100K to buy product and set up shop. The repayment was 300K and it was due in one year. Of course compared to Cartier, Carlo felt he’d gotten off easy. For Cartier, he had to give up Raven and any hopes of a life with her, once Maxine Freeman decided she wanted him exclusively. Carlo felt bad for his friend, but Cartier still found time to be with Raven, even fathering children with her, unbeknownst to Maxine. With the new capital they had, business began to pick up and new challenges to their empire began to arise. Sighing softly, Carlo remembered their very first kill together. Roman Leek was a big deal on the Southside. He ran all the illegal numbers betting and provided muscle for protection on the side. He of course paid his homage of fifty-five percent to Dillinger, but recouped it by shaking his clients down for twice the protection fee. Things were fine until Roman got wind that Sharaine still had a thing for Carlo and they were still screwing from time to time. He sent a hit squad after Carlo, trying to ambush him at home.

  Carlo was furious that the man had sent armed goons to his home where his wife and three year old daughter were. He could see the fury etched in Cartier’s face as well when they got the call from Auriel in tears, telling him about the men barging into the house and threatening them. Going directly to Jukes, the club Roman called headquarters; they walked directly inside and began shooting, no questions asked. Cartier took out the two bodyguards, Carlo killed the bartender, the lone waitress, and a stripper who was still sliding down the pole. At this point he had no regard for anyone. When the bullets stopped flying, Roman was cowering under the table like a frightened child, pleading with the two men not to kill him. Sharaine peered from around the bar, praying she wasn’t seen when Cartier spoke. “Bring your ass out here or I’m coming back there and kill you,” he told her calmly. Quickly making herself seen, Sharaine walked into the VIP area where Roman still cowered. “You got an outdoor extension cord,” Carlo asked calmly, finally looking at her. Swallowing hard, she told him she did. “Get it,” he barked sharply as Sharaine quickly scurried away to the utility room, Cartier close behind her.

  “Get your sorry ass from under there,” Carlo growled as Cartier and Sharaine returned. Roman slowly made his way from under the table, watching the two men still holding guns on him with fear and trepidation. Glancing up, Carlo saw what he was looking for, tossing one end of the cord over the exposed pipe, tying and securing it. The other end he fashioned into a crude noose and placed around Roman’s neck. “Get up there,” he barked, holding the gun to the man’s throat. Roman obediently climbed onto the chair Cartier provided, never taking his eyes off Carlo. “You invaded my house,” Carlo told him coldly. “Threatened my wife, scared my daughter,” he went on his eyes seemingly receding farther and farther into his head. Roman began to tremble involuntarily. The man seemed to be changing shapes right in front of him. Gone was the human face he’d known as Carlo and in its place a darkened mask of pure evil. Even his voice had taken on a cold, almost reptile hiss. “All this because Sharaine and I enjoyed a friendly fuck here and there,” he questioned, coming closer to the chair. “It’s just pussy fool,” Carlo told him, kicking the chair slightly. Roman panicked almost slipping completely off the chair himself but managing to maintain his balance at the last moment. “We’re going to take over your territory and add it to our growing empire,” he continued to speak, slowly circling Roman as he stood still quaking in the small chair he was still perched precariously upon.

  “I’m not in love with Sharaine jackass, and she’s not in love with me,” Carlo told him, stopping to stare at him again. “We were fucking, Roman, pure and simple,” he told him once as Roman nodded hurriedly that he understood. The thing in front of him had him terrified. Roman wouldn’t even classify Carlo as a man right now. He was a walking conglomerate of pure evil. “Should we kill him quickly,” he asked Cartier, regarding him now. “No, he needs time to think on his evil deeds, perhaps even repent for them,” he replied calmly as Carlo chuckled. “Socrates, the philosopher,” he murmured as Cartier smiled. “Do you need time to think on your evil deeds Roman,” Carlo asked, glancing over his shoulder at him. “Why don’t you pray,” he suggested as Cartier nodded his approval. “Aloud, so we can all can share,” he added with a smirk as Roman swallowed hard and began reciting The Lord’s prayer. Sharaine watched transfixed as her lover began to cry the further h
e got into the prayer. Finishing finally, Cartier stepped up and spoke again. “Do you believe God heard you,” he asked. Roman sighed deeply simply replying he hoped so. “Do you believe in hell,” Cartier asked once more as Roman swallowed hard but didn’t answer. “You’re going to die Roman,” he told him matter of fact. “Yes, over a friendly piece of pussy,” Carlo said simply, kicking the chair out from under him without warning. He, more than anyone else in the room, enjoyed watching Roman’s convulsing corpse as he slowly and painfully strangled to death. After what seemed an eternity his body stopped moving, his bodily fluids let loose and the stench of his death filled the club.

  “We’re here Cisneros,” the jailer announced, breaking Carlo’s thought as he made his way back to his cell waiting for Quenton to arrive.

  He needed a hit in the worst way.

  *****

  Cartier was settling into prison life at Leavenworth. The prison was just like any other institution meant to keep one caged and nothing special stood out. He hadn’t run into any drama or skirmishes since his arrival almost three and a half weeks ago. He’d heard through his source at the prison, the trial had wrapped and the jury was deliberating. That won’t take long, he thought and sighed deeply. Cartier supposed Carlo was enjoying his last final moments in the sun and he held no grudge against his friend for that. He also frowned deeply thinking about Lauren once again. She’d been shipped off to some foster home or other and no one could turn enough stones to find her. He had an idea though and only needed to wait a couple of days until his first visitation to implement it. His own sons were safely out of harm’s way in Alabama. He had distant relatives there, but they’d opened their home once Cartier sent a runner with the money filled briefcase to pay off their home and most of their debts.

  He smiled slightly thinking of his last conversation with Ryan. The young man was still full of pride, almost belligerent, but Cartier knew how to handle him. He was after all, his own blood. “You and Ian are going to Alabama,” Cartier told Ryan calmly as they sat and conversed during his visit to the jail. “You can’t tell us what to do, you’re an inmate, and we’re grown,” Ryan told him cockily. Cartier smiled slightly before leaning close to his son and speaking quietly, his eyes boring into the younger man’s. “Don’t let these bars fool you,” he told him. “You might be legal, but you’re a long way from grown, I’m still the fucking alpha male in this bitch, and you and Ian are going to Alabama,” Cartier told him as the guard came and stood behind Ryan. He felt the cold steel moments later as the guards gun found the base of his neck. “Any more fucking questions,” Cartier calmly asked as Ryan swallowed hard and told him no. Cartier assured his son if he disobeyed his orders and remained in the city he would personally issue the hit on his life. Visibly shaken Ryan quickly assured his father he and Ian would go.

  Coming back to now Cartier greeted the inmate saying hello as he passed his cell. Since his arrival he’d met one man or another who wanted to be a part of The Association they were sure he and Carlo would establish once his friend arrived. Cartier didn’t have any plans along those lines, but he wasn’t stupid either. He and Carlo needed all the muscle they could gather to keep them safe, drama free and revered while they served their time. So far he’d managed to gather a total of ten men, willing and able to do whatever he or Carlo assigned or asked. Cartier frowned slightly as he glanced the familiar face.

  “Bitch,” he mumbled under his breath taking the man in fully.

  Razor, the man in question, once a lieutenant for the Association, had sung like a canary, testifying against both Carlo and Cartier. In exchange he’d drawn a fifteen year prison bid. Cartier’s eyes narrowed as he watched the man continue to get settled. First assignment, he thought wordlessly as one of their new recruits arrived and asked Cartier if he needed anything. Smiling malevolently, he told the man they would talk during exercise time. Nodding the recruit went about his way, waiting for their time and the favor that would seal his place inside the organization.

  *****

  Lauren was counting the money she’d managed to raise, deciding she had just about enough to make her move. The last two months with Matthew and Rose had been good. They were decent people who treated her with great kindness. They never broached the subject of her past, seemingly comfortable with ignoring it. Kenny on the other hand was still plotting. She could tell every time he looked at her. Lauren had seen her share of criminals and lowlife, picking out one with motives was never hard. She’d returned to the exclusive Catholic school Carlo paid for on a full scholarship. The diocese felt pity for her as well as guilt and remorse that they hadn’t known anything of her torture over the years when she was with her father. Lauren didn’t really care the why of the matter, she simply wanted to get her diploma and move on. Graduation and her 17th birthday all came together in another three weeks. Lauren planned to make it the last birthday she ever spent in Chicago. She heard the light tap of the pebbles hitting her window and got up going over to it.

  “Come down,” Blue whispered as she nodded and closed the window.

  Jason ‘Blue’ White was her supplier and he wanted to be her boyfriend. His nickname came from his love of the color blue. He wore it constantly in some variation or shade. Even his car was a deep cerulean blue, customized and easily recognized in the neighborhood. He was older than Lauren at 20, but obviously that didn’t seem to matter to him as he made his intentions known time and again in the month they’d been doing business. Blue had been reluctant to supply the innocent looking girl when she approached him still clad in her Catholic schoolgirl uniform. After a quick conversation and a rundown of her pedigree, Blue was impressed and immediately gave her what she asked. Lauren had never been late with his money and his cut was decent. Though she knew he liked her, Blue had never gotten out of hand with her or tried to touch her against her will.

  “Can you make a run with me tonight,” he asked softly, looking into her eyes as he spoke.

  “Yeah, everybody’s asleep,” she told him as he smiled and told her to come on.

  Lauren didn’t ask where they were going, simply asking if she needed a weapon. “Yeah, I’ma give you some heat when we get there, but it should be cool,” Blue told her as Lauren nodded.

  She saw him checking her out and sighed softly. It wasn’t that she hated men; she just wasn’t sure what to feel about them right now. Carlo had completely messed up her mind with what was normal and healthy and what wasn’t. She couldn’t lie and say sleeping with Blue hadn’t crossed her mind, because it had. He was an attractive guy; tall and sexy, with a brilliant smile and quick wit. Lauren just decided she didn’t need any complications right now. Her mind was on getting away from Carlo’s never ending shadow and making a new life for herself.

  “We’re here,” Blue told her, breaking her thought.

  “Here,” he told her, handing her a .38 revolver. “You cool with handling that,” he asked, looking into her eyes once more.

  Lauren smiled slightly and told him she was good. He grumbled as they got out of the car and approached the run down building in front of them. She assumed they were making a pickup and obviously Blue didn’t trust the people supplying him at the moment.

  “Wassup,” Blue greeted the two men and one woman inside the small building.

  They returned the greeting, turning their attention to Lauren and looking her over lustily. The woman gave her an evil look and rolled her eyes, turning her attention back to Blue. Lauren chuckled inwardly knowing the woman had a thing for Blue.

  “We got the powder, you got our money,” the first man asked, returning to business.

  Blue told him he did, placing the wad on the table in front of him. Lauren was watching the men intently, dismissing the woman as eye candy. She’d seen the look before. They were planning a double cross. Calmly putting her hands in her jacket pockets Lauren continued to pretend to take in the building.

  Just as she predicted the second man produced a gun and told Blue he was a fool
for walking blindly into a meet like this.

  “You ain’t ready for the big leagues yet boy,” he taunted arrogantly as his partner laughed and closed the briefcase preparing to pick up the money from the table.

  Lauren dropped the partner with three shots from the .38, still in her pocket. The distraction gave Blue enough time to pull his own .38 and shoot the first man five times, killing him. The woman was screaming as Blue turned the gun on her and she begged her for life.