60 Minutes (6 page)

Jani’rah cut her off,” I already got it covered.” She had set up a few off shore accounts for her cousin and around-the-house help. She also donated over ten million to daycares, recreation centers and schools in the city. Her money was in a good place.

“I want to go to my house and have one more strawberry daiquiri.”

Hanz smiled and did as he was told.

*****

Jani’rah had Hanz drop her off at her house. She requested to be alone as she walked around her yard. She thought about her parents and her business.

The front door flew open and her cousin Claudette greeted her with a smile. As soon as Jani’rah had enough money, she flew Claudette out of Haiti and shared her wealth with her. Claudette was an accountant student and very smart; she handled all of the finances.

The two women embraced and walked hand in hand into the house making their way to the kitchen. Glendly, her cook, was already preparing a daiquiri for her. As soon as she saw the car in the security camera, she knew Jani’rah would want one with an extra shot of
Grey Goose
. Jani’rah took her glass and went into the foyer and sat on a plush ottoman she kept in the center of the room. The walls were decorated with photos of her and her parents. She drank and walked down memory lane, envisioning her happiest moments.

Hanz cleared his throat, “I don’t mean to interrupt Madame, but it’s time.”

“Ugh, already? I would like to drive myself—go in style; I’ll be taking the Maserati.”

She walked over to Hanz and handed him a check, “May you never have to drive anyone again, especially a bitch like me.” She walked out of the room leaving him standing there in shock at the amount he was staring at. His family was GOOD!

Jani’rah met Risia out front and informed her she was riding solo.

“Well, I’ll be right behind you,” Risia said with a wink and walked to the Jaguar parked behind the Maserati. She got in and started the ignition; as soon as she did, the car filled with a gassy substance, choking her immediately. She fought to open the door but the lock was jammed. Frantically, Larisse beeped the horn, but Jani’rah had already pulled off. Hanz came out and was stunned by what he saw; he ran to the car and tried to open the doors. He kicked the windows to no avail. Thinking quickly, Hanz ran to the Maybach and grabbed a crow bar. By the time he smashed the windows to the Jag, it was too late. Larisse was gone.

*****

Daniel paced the courtroom. His normally light brown skin was almost pale. The trial was taking a toll on him. He was questioning his actions and wondering if they would pay off and be appreciated. He finally settled in his seat as his colleague made his way towards him. He noticed a member of his team walking towards him with concern and frustration on his face.

“That’s it, she’s off!” Ronnie said exasperated and dropping a folder on the desk.

Daniel stared at him in wonderment, “What do you mean? Who are you talking about?”

Ronnie looked at him defeated. “Madame J. Agent Braxton is nowhere to be found. All the recordings, tapes and photos…gone! Judge Florentino passed away earlier, a heart attack everyone assumes.” Ronnie shook his head. “Un-fucking-believable! I feel like I’m in a movie and we can’t get no wins with this lady.”

Daniel stared at Ronnie baffled then thought about the next step. Another Judge would be put on the case; would Jani’rah still stand a chance?

00:5:59

Jani’rah walked over to her lawyer and glanced around the courtroom, she nodded at a few people she recognized and ignored the rest. He whispered something in her ear and Jani’rah stared at him in disbelief. She looked around one last time and got out of her seat; she stood smiling, knowing she was a free woman. Another judge entered the courtroom and took a seat, Jani’rah grinned widely at the familiar face it was the face of Judge Lobank, who was another client of Jani’rah’s. Lobank made a statement about the untimely death of Judge Florentino before informing everyone that there would be a continuance in the trial to a later date when it could be retried again before a new judge if the State still wanted to proceed with the trial from the beginning. Jani’rah looked over at District Attorney Daniel Morrow and a frown took over her face. He was the one that ultimately would seal her fate and take away her freedom.

When she heard about him taking the case, she was asked by her team what should be done with him. She said nothing in response. She couldn’t see herself offing the only other person that genuinely cared for her besides her parents. He stared back at her, she could still see love in his eyes; she returned a cold stare though.
Fuck that! I should’ve murked his ass along with everyone else trying to bring me down.
She focused her attention on the jury. She recognized at least four faces. This was too easy for her, almost unreal!
What happened to the last witness though
? She thought to herself, she never had a chance to discover who else turned their back on her. She heard the judge mention Agent Braxton, but Jani’rah had no idea who that was. She wasn’t complaining; she would once again leave a free woman. She made a mental note to keep her circle tight and no more new hires for a while. As the last remarks were made, Jani’rah stood to leave. She had no reason to be there any more, they couldn’t hold her.

Daniel made his way towards the elevators and walked in, he pressed the button for the main level and the doors began to shut.

“Hold the elevator please!” Jani’rah quickly entered and looked at Daniel then rolled her eyes.

“Jani’rah, please.”

“Please what? Listen to the man that was ready to throw the book at me?”

“It wasn’t like that. I was under pressure from my boss and colleagues!”

Jani’rah laughed. “So much for having a mind of your own.”

“Listen girl, I did what I could; it’s not a coincidence everyone disappeared.”

“So you think I had something to do with that too?”

Daniel looked at her seriously, “I know you did, I watched you set it up. The poison you inserted in the syringe would’ve been traced. I replaced it with a tiny syringe with cyanide; an autopsy would never be able to determine the cause. You did well with Sharnice Brookes; but you sat in her home leaving your DNA all over the place. I burned the house down after her body dissolved.”

Jani’rah was shocked at what she was hearing, “But why would you sacrifice…”

“Because unlike everyone else, when I look at you Jani’rah I don’t see a monster. I see a sixteen-year-old girl who probably lost her soul when her parents were killed. I will add that your attitude sucks and your choice of business…”

“…isn’t any of your damn business!” Jani’rah snapped becoming upset. She knew this wasn’t the ideal way of living or making money.

Not wanting to upset Jani’rah any more, Daniel dropped the subject and brought up another one. “And Jani’rah, you forgot one. The star witness was Agent Braxton Leandri, also known as Larisse. I took care of her.”

“I let her in over a year ago; I’m ashamed to say I slipped. I let these muthafuckas catch me sleeping. Never again!”

Daniel agreed, “She was able to get numerous photos of you, recorded conversations of your transactions, and her testimony would have been the nail in your coffin.”

Jani’rah looked up at Daniel. “What happened to all of the evidence?”

“I told you I took care of it,” he replied reassuringly.

“Daniel, I thank you, but what’s going to happen to you and your job?” Jani’rah inquired.

“Nothing, I’ll go back to my office and start another case.”

The elevator doors opened and they both hesitated before stepping out. Jani’rah looked at Daniel. “Now what?”

*****

Cameras flashed and reporters rushed to Jani’rah as soon as she stepped outside. She was bombarded with questions.

“Did you have a hand in the disappearances?”

“How does it feel to walk free again?”

“What are your plans now?”

Jani’rah ignored their questions and shoved everyone out of her way. Another reporter jumped in front of her.

“Will you still operate the city’s biggest sex ring?”

Jani’rah stopped and looked directly into the cameras. “Of course I’ll still operate the sex ring. I recommend you ladies get one! It’s a fantastic piece for only $19.99 in my love boutique. It’s a vibrating ring that goes around your man’s dick and it feels, oh so marvelous while he’s beating the twat up! Come on people, sex is never going to disappear! It will always operate; now excuse me, I need to go have some myself!” She pushed through the crowd and looked over at Daniel; he winked at her and she smiled back.

She looked at her Maybach and saw Hanz holding the back door opened with a wide grin on his face. She smiled. She heard small shrieks throughout the crowd and was pushed forward by people running in an opposite direction.

“He has a gun! Oh my God, he’s going to kill her!” Someone shouted.

The well-dressed madman that was escorted from the courtroom earlier approached Jani’rah.

“You killed my babies; you took my daughters Sylvia and Sharnice from me!” He yelled before pointing a small .22 at her and pulling the trigger.

00:00:00

Tick, Tick, BOOM!

Rain lightly fell and hit patrons as they stood at Lakeview Cemetery to pay their final respects. An American flag covered the coffin of Daniel Morrow as it was slowly lowered into the ground for burial. Quiet sobs could be heard as everyone looked on and a priest gave his final remarks. Jani’rah watched from a distance with black
Ray Ban
shades covering her eyes. Although she was upset and felt a twinge of sadness, she didn’t shed a tear. She was grateful for Daniel jumping in the way of her bullet; he was a good man in her eyes, that’s why she paid for his funeral, the expensive casket and the monument for the grave site.

“They’ll be departing soon Madame.” Hanz warned her. Jani’rah didn’t want to be seen. She learned that Sharnice and Sylvia’s father, Samuel, had heavy connections and had put a bounty on her head. Jani’rah had more protection than normal lately. An attempt was even made on her yesterday. She had ordered food from a pizza restaurant and as she was paying for it when the deliveryman pulled out a Swiss Army knife trying to stab her. He got a little blood, but that was the most damage he could get done before Hanz broke his neck. Samuel was currently incarcerated, awaiting trial for the murder of District Attorney Daniel Morrow; but his resources allowed him to reach out to Jani’rah.

As they rode through the gravesite, Jani’rah was lost in thought. She was thinking about ending her business in the underworld, maybe passing it along to her cousin. But the money was too good and allowed her to help others in need, so she pushed the thought aside. A loud boom startled Jani’rah.

“Oh shit!” Hanz squealed as the black Cadillac driving in front of them exploded, three of her bodyguards were in the car. Suddenly, a huge force crashed into the side of Jani’rah’s Maybach, she fell over in her seat and ducked down. Pain shot up from her shoulder to her neck.

“Hanz are you ok?! Jani’rah quickly asked. Without answering, Hanz reached under his seat and pulled out a sawed-off shotty and pointed it towards the window, blowing a shot at a masked man trying to shoot the damaged car. Jani’rah was able to unlock her door.

“Get out Madame!” Hanz shouted as a grenade fell on the passenger seat. The two quickly jumped out of the car as it blew up, partially burning Hanz’s leg in the process. Jani’rah hit the ground hard and from the pain she knew her shoulder was out of place.

“Here J, this isn’t much, but God willing it will save our lives.” Hanz said handing her a .45. She took it, and with rage in her eyes, pointed to her assailants who were approaching the blown up Maybach, probably thinking she was still in it. The Cadillac that was driving behind her with her other bodyguards in it was nowhere to be found.
I know they did not fucking leave!
Jani’rah was angry; she got up and limped towards her assailants. She was going to shoot them at close range; she heard sirens approaching and didn’t care, she was probably going to die anyway.

Boom, Boom.

Hanz bought two men down with his shotgun. Jani’rah walked up to the last surviving man, pointing straight at his face.

“Please, it wasn’t my idea.”

“I don’t give a fuck! If you muthafuckas want me dead, you’re gonna have to do better than this!” A black Cadillac screeched and halted behind her.

“Hurry Madame, get in.” A bodyguard scurried out of the car and quickly threw Hanz over his shoulder and put him into a black Cadillac. Jani’rah stared at the man with menacing eyes then emptied her clip in his face. Jani’rah wasn’t going to make Samuel’s bounty easy. She made a mental note to have him touched too as she hurried into the Cadillac with Hanz and the bodyguard. They pulled off leaving two burnt cars, seven dead bodies, and a silent message to Samuel. Jani’rah was out for blood…eventually one of their times, hers or Samuel’s, would be up.

Never Send A Boy To Do A Man’s Job

“You mean to tell me the little bitch got away again?” Samuel spat quietly so that the guards wouldn’t hear him.