One Afternoon
Kali did not do nervous. After her life, after all she'd been through, not then not now and not never. She'd dealt with some sketchy mother-fuckas, she'd dealt with large sections of society that wanted her dead or at least gone because of the color of her skin. She'd dealt with the other sections that hated or distrusted her because she was a female and doubled down on that because of her sexuality. She'd given all that the sturdy middle finger and marched on through her life. She was a tough cookie and not ashamed of it. She was not a woman that you could intimidate or pressure or coerce. She was her own woman and she was fiercely proud of that. Kali did no DO nervous.
Except that she was sat in her vehicle, not the limousine this time, and she was watching the clock creep slowly toward the time of their appointed meeting. Finally it was close enough and she almost had to drag herself out of the door and onto the sidewalk. Her instincts took in the other car parked down the road. The man in the passenger seat checked her out and having seen who she was returned to whatever it was he had been doing. She was expected.
The house was unpretentious - one like thousands in this section of the Capital. She turned off the sidewalk and began walking up the path. Before she reached it the front door opened and an African-American man of about sixty years of age stepped out to great her. He had a warm easy smile and offered her an old-fashioned hand shake.
"Kali my friend, it's been a while. Even longer since you came over here. What can I do for you?"
"Mr Taylor - I'm sorry to be a bother to you. I'm here because I need to talk to you about Charli."
Kali suddenly realised with a blinding clarity that there WERE times when she could still do nervous.
Cutting A Deal
Taylor exchanged a glance with his trusted lieutenant. He knew that Antwan was far more at home in these streets than he himself was. Antwan had been born over here and no matter the spreading sprawl of developments between the two cities there was still a big difference between the Capital, Taylor's home turf, and H-Town. Especially this particular part of H-Town.
To be sure Antwan could have dealt with this himself. It was a family matter for him after all. However, there were certain proprieties to be observed. Respect had to be shown when you were asking another's co-operation. Sending a deputy, no matter how trusted or high in Taylor's own estimation, would not have sent the right message. In any case once this connection had been established there were sure to be other occassions of potential mutual advantage or profit.
Taylor had half expected to be going down to one of the clubs in the 'meat market' district. High- to medium-end strip joints - some catering to a tourist and business clientele. Even H-Town had its up-market area, mostly around the world-famous University. It turned out that white boy college students liked to see a pretty girl too and Cassius was not a prejudiced man. The only colour that had ever counted with him was 'green'.
Which made it interesting that he hadn't agreed to meet Taylor at one of his clubs in the 'meat market.' That zone was notorious nationwide, had featured in numerous press articles and TV documentaries. To date four US Presidents had pledged to force local government to close it down. Hadn't happened of course - too many prominent figures liked to drive out from the Capital to those very same clubs. Nonetheless they remained a symbol of depravity - of a 'wide-open' culture that so many seemed to deplore even as they craved its attractions.
To anyone in the know, of course, the regular denunciations of the 'meat market' were as farcical as they were futile. Those clubs were the public and almost respectable side of Cassius's business. A few 'extras' might go down but they were out of sight and out of mind.
Neighborhoods like this one didn't have much time for such niceties. However, sex still sold and Cassius was real happy to supply that particular demand wherever and however it might be sought. It was just that round here his girls had to work that little bit harder. The neon and bright lights were still there but what happened behind them was rather more primal and much less covert.
There were two large African-American men stood outside the club they had been told to meet Cassius at. Clearly a welcoming party - no joint needed that much security at this time of the day in the normal course of affairs. When they saw Taylor and Antwan approach they stood aside from the door in a silent invitation to pass through.
Taylor glanced at his friend and lieutenant. He trusted Antwan's instincts. "He's a businessman - only starts trouble if he really needs to." Taylor nodded - that had been his inclination too.
They were quickly proved right. Before they reached the open doorway to the club it was filled by the figure of Cassius himself, welcoming them in.
"Rare pleasure Taylor," the two men bumped fists and then Cassius glanced at Antwan, "hadn't seen this one since he got the new jewellery. That white piece of yours still let you out Antwan?"
Antwan unconciously glanced down to his ring finger and the band of gold there. Then he returned Cassius' glance. "She keeps an eye on me - when she's not keeping you from getting all your clubs closed down."
There was a moment's silence and then Cassius roared with laughter. He slapped Antwan on the shoulder. "Not sure I wouldn't stay home awhile if I had the lovely Jessica waiting there for me. All that and free legal advice too. Say one thing for you - you ain't no fool." He laughed again and then set his face into a business-like expression. "I know Mr Taylor hasn't come down here to hear two homies baggin each other. What's on the agenda?"