Latest News
- Down but not out
- Daegu 400m Hurdles Finals includes Taylor and Jackson
- Daegu 400m Hurdles Finals includes Taylor and Jackson
- Taylor cruises to semi-finals
- Taylor cruises to semi-finals
- Summer Blues
- Taylor to compete at World Championships in August
- Team Matriculation
- Taylor defeats 400m Olympic Gold in Eugene
Nott Images
Who's Online
We have 348 guests online
| Article Index |
|---|
| To Live and Die in Harlem |
| Missing 3 weeks |
| All Pages |
Page 1 of 2
R
eginald “Push” Jackson has had a hard-knock life. His parents were murdered when he was young, and he’s spent much of his adulthood in prison. Now there’s only one thing left in the world worth fighting for: his home.
Harlem has been undermined by rascal slumlords, grimy politicians, and crooked cops. The corruption shouldn’t be any of Push’s business—until he stumbles onto one of the biggest, most ruthless criminal enterprises he’s ever seen. Now it’s up to him to clear the streets of one of the most ruthless gangs in history. Because if Push can’t do it, no one else can…and this time, it’s personal.
EXCERPT
Chapter 1
UNCLE SAM’S FIRST big mistake was to trust someone outside of his circle. Especially a reporter. What was he thinking? What—because she worked for a distinguished newspaper, that was supposed to imply good faith? Did that mean her word was her bond and that her trust was guaranteed? Did it mean she would uphold her promise to keep certain facts and details out of her story?
And what of the Times, that so-called distinguished newspaper? Says who? Who was the authority in these situations? Who made up the rules and ethics, and who enforced them when they were broken?
Breaking the rules. Poor girl, that Michelle, thinking she was doing the right thing when in fact all she did was kill herself. Suicide. What was she thinking . . . that L.T.K. wouldn’t come to get her?
Had she lost her mind?
“MICHELLE WAS A good friend, Evelyn. Unfortunately she got involved in something that was too heavy for her—but had I known just how deep, I would’ve told her to stay away.”
“From who, Charles?”
“L.T.K. She got in—literally. She was right there with the major players. How else would she be able to videotape them?”
“You mean there’s a tape?”
Judge Charles Pullman looked up from his drink, a Brazilian daiquiri: one part Bacardi light rum, two parts dark, one tablespoon of brown sugar, half as much vanilla extract, and two slices of pineapple.
The Judge had to sweep such unimportant things aside, how his mind had suddenly assessed the ingredients of his drink at a time like this. He was deep into Evelyn’s eyes now, the daiquiri fucking with his head, making him fight to even think.
It always came down to this: the matter of trust. Somewhere along the line, there had to be someone you needed to trust . . . something or somebody who you had to confide in.
Can I trust you, Evelyn? Or will I be the next to die?
Charles shut his eyes—one of those slow-motion gestures—opened them again, then turned his gaze far and away from the moment . . . past the waitresses, the dining activities of this or that couple, the large dinner party over in the corner—
“For he’s a jolly good fe-e-lloooow . . . which nobody caaaan de-nyyyy!”
—beyond the mirrors decorating the far wall of the restaurant, which made Copeland’s seem so much larger an establishment.
The way the Judge’s mind wandered like this was his way of foretelling the future, whether he would live or die. Hell, he did it for most everyone else or at least those defendants who stood before him day in, day out for ultimate judgment. Ten years here, twenty-five there, life without parole. Sure, in the courtroom he was immortal, he could play God. Make or break a man.
So then, why wasn’t it just as easy for him to determine his own fate?
“Can I reserve my answers to that question?” replied Pullman, knowing that talking about the tape would lead to her wanting to see it. He didn’t want to endanger her or anyone else.
“What the hell is that supposed to mean? Reserve your answer? This is not your courtroom, Charles . . .”
The way Evelyn put him in check made Charles take a long, deep breath—trying to maintain some sense of calm before his heart jumped out of his chest. It would be time for that next hypertension pill soon.
“Charles,” said Evelyn, with that chuckle in her throat, “you might be the reigning senior court judge ’n all, but to me, we’re like this.” She twisted her middle and pointer fingers together—a python wrapping itself around a pole. “Since when do you know me to jeopardize our relationship?”
“Evelyn, this . . .” The Judge stopped himself. He was not in his courtroom. This was not his house. Calm down, mister. Lower your voice, he told himself. And to his future daughter-in-law he said, “This is about my life. I may be required to uphold the law at my day job . . . I even bend it—we all do—so our lawmen and -women [he remembered to add] can enjoy an edge. But darling, as a human being, I must save lives.” The Judge took a moment to think, then went on. “If not me, then who? And if not by the book, then who else should have the authority to take the law into their own hands?”
“Charles, I’m trying to hook onto what you’re saying, but I’m afraid you’re not clear. Could you make your point?”
“Evelyn, we’ve got dirty cops committing crimes—and I know that’s no secret—but lately, the dirty cops are killing cops. And they’re not just killing the cops, Evelyn, they’re killing anyone who gets in their way. As long as these . . . these imbeciles get what they want.”
“I’ve never seen you like this, Charles. And I’ve never ever seen you take underworld activity so personally.” Evelyn Watson, U.S. Probation Officer, put her young hand across the table, consoling the older man.
“It’s never been this bad. And it’s never touched me this close. Michelle was . . . was—” His voice broke off and he put his hand over his face.
He was losing it. And seeing him like this made her tremble. It was as if the world was coming to an end, and he was the only one who knew how or why.
“Evelyn, we must proceed now. There are lives at stake.”
“Okay, wait, let’s back it up a bit. First of all, I need you to calm yourself and look me in the eyes, Judge.” He did. “Don’t think of me as strange when I say that I would give up my right arm to protect you. Do you believe that?” She squeezed Pullman’s hand, hoping to drive her statement home.
Pullman was hypnotized by Evelyn’s control, how she was able to be so direct with men, reading them with such depth and clairvoyance. He’d always admired this about her, that certain something that he had never experienced with women in his own life. No such personal encounters. Evelyn always kept her word in the courtroom. And it was amazing how she managed, mothered and sometimes manhandled the riffraff and gangsters on her caseload.
Pullman suddenly wondered how Evelyn handled men in other ways. What was she doing to or with Peter, his son, that had him so hooked? That thought jolted him. Jesus! What would make him think of such things? What was wrong with him? Evelyn was young enough to be his daughter—Peter’s age, for God’s sake—and here he was with his mind wandering in the gutter.
Still, despite all of that, he couldn’t help but feel overwhelmed.
“Charles?” Evelyn’s voice shook him from his spell.
“Y-yes . . . I’m sorry. I—I do trust you, Evelyn. No doubt about it. Yes, I’d trust you with my life.” Evelyn sighed loud enough to be heard, glad to get past that stage.
“Was. She was with the Times.”
“How do you know this L.T.K. group killed her?”
Call NottHeads
Shopping Cart
|
Items in cart: 0 |
| View Cart |
Company Info
Terms & Conditions - © 2002-2011 NottHeads Inc. - All rights reserved.
Questions and/or concerns contact the Webmaster