“The honor is all mine.” Suave smiled, relieved now that he was talking to Mr. Dapper. “I’m sure you’re surprised to hear from me, but I have a business proposal for you.”
Mr. Dapper was silent for a few seconds. “Take this number and call me back.” He rapidly recited a telephone number as Suave wrote it down, before hanging up the telephone.
Suave immediately dialed the number he was given.
“Now we can talk,” Mr. Dapper said with a thick Haitian accent. “This is a very secure line. I must say I was very surprised to hear from you, my brother.”
Mr. Dapper was one of Haiti’s biggest drug lords, if not the biggest. He was also King Kong’s and Queen Bee’s main supplier. Suave knew that King Kong owed him a lot of money because of the huge stash of drugs and money that Suave had stolen from King Kong.
“As I said before, I have a business proposal for you,” Suave repeated. “This will be very beneficial to both of us.”
“Really now?”
“Word on the street is that a certain someone owes you a lot of money. I’m sure you are not too pleased with that.”
“Word on the street is that the person who benefited from my loss is you. However, I had no dealings with you and only want what’s mine.”
“You know you can’t believe everything you hear. But I’m in a situation.”
“Yeah, I heard. Your best friend was murdered, your son was kidnapped, and you were charged with murder. That’s a lot, my friend.”
“And we both know who’s responsible for all of that. I have a proposal that will give me back my life and you your money with a huge bonus.”
“I do need my money back, which is why your friend is still alive. A dead man can’t repay, right? Talk to me.” Mr. Dapper was all about his money.
“Okay, so this is what I have in mind.” Suave laid the business proposal on the table.
* * *
“This time, Mr. Clark is expecting you and is waiting for you in his office.” Evelyn still had an attitude from the last time Suave forced his way into the office.
“Good morning, beautiful.” Suave’s dimples winked at Evelyn. And against her will, she blushed, rolling her eyes at him.
“You better not keep him waiting,” she said in a more pleasant tone. “His schedule is tighter today because I had to squeeze you in.”
“I appreciate that.” Suave walked through the open door into Alwayne’s office. “Good morning, Mr. Clark.”
Alwayne looked up from the Jamaica Gleaner he was reading. “Good morning. Please close the door and have a seat.” He folded the newspaper and placed it on his desk.
“How was the birthday party?” Suave asked after he took his seat.
“Wonderful. Those little boys are going to need a few more days to open all their gifts,” Alwayne replied. “Their paternal grandparents, the Humphreys, took up most of the living room with just their gifts.”
Suave smiled. “First grandchildren, I bet?”
“Yup. I’m telling you that Eve Humphrey is something else. But it’s always great to spend time with family and friends.”
“When this is over, I’m going to take all my kids on a wonderful vacation.”
“How many you said you got?” Alwayne asked Suave.
“Eight. Probably nine by now.” Suave sighed loudly. He had tried to call Monica repeatedly, but no one answered the telephone. He had a feeling they took the phone off the hook to avoid his calls because it just kept ringing and ringing.
“Remember what I said about getting out of the game. If not for you, then do it for your kids.”
Suave nodded. “You’re probably right.”
“We have a lot of work to do, Mr. Brown. As you are aware, I never lose a case, and I don’t intend to smear my record. First, Evelyn will be bringing you some papers to sign to seal our attorney-client relationship. She will also be going over my fee and payment schedule,” Alwayne informed Suave.
“Money is not a problem,” Suave assured him. “I’ll pay whatever you charge to keep me from going to prison for murder.”
“You’ll pay the same as all my clients, Mr. Brown. Just—”
“You can call me Suave.”
“All right. So that you know, I’m doing this because of our agreement which requires you to attend church with me for a few months. You break our agreement, I walk. That will be in the contract you’ll be signing today.” Alwayne stared pointedly at Suave.
Suave shifted uncomfortably in his chair. “Fine. I’ll come to church, but so that you know, I don’t want anything to do with your so-called God. I’m doing this to stay out of prison.”
Alwayne chuckled lightly. “We’ll see about that, Saul. Oops, I meant Suave.”
Suave had no idea who Saul was, and quite frankly, he didn’t care. He would show up at church so that Alwayne would show up at court. But once Suave was free, he was gone.
Someone knocked on the door. “Come in, Evelyn,” Alwayne responded.
Evelyn entered with a pile of papers in her hands. She sat in the chair beside Suave. “I have a few things for you to sign, Mr. Brown.” Evelyn went on to explain each document in detail.
“Do you have any questions, Suave?” Alwayne asked when Evelyn was finished.
“No, let me have those.” Suave had a big smile on his face as he signed all the documents. Alwayne Clark was now officially his lawyer.
“Thanks, Evelyn,” Alwayne said as she exited the room. “Now, Suave, I want you to tell me everything that you know about Danny Moore, and why the police think you murdered him.” Alwayne rested back in his chair, a very serious look on his face. “And please don’t leave anything out. I can’t help you if you hold anything back.”
Suave looked away when an image of Pat popped up in his mind. I certainly can’t tell him everything. He’ll think I’m gay or some sort of freak.
“Suave?” Alwayne leaned forward. “Why would
