The knock on the door woke Vee, the sensation of a dream still lingering on the edge of her consciousness. She drug herself to the door, not bothering to check the window first. She knew it was Nao. Yep. There he was, bright-eyed, smiling and waiting to be fed. She waved him in and closed the door behind him. She plopped on the bed and stared at Nao. "Well aren't you very awake this morning." she croaked groggily. He looked around the room still smiling.
"It looks good in here." He took a breath and tossed himself down in the soft chair across the room. "Smells good too." Veronica only responded with a grunt as she pulled her high tops.
"I forgot to grab something to eat. So we are going out to eat" Vee ripped a brush down her black locks.
"Dope... So why you so tired?" he asked
"Went out last night," she said suddenly remembering the encounter. She pulled her hat on and wiped the mascara from under her eyes. "That reminds me. You ever heard of um... Deathrow, or something like that?" Vee grabs her purse and straps it over her shoulder.
"The gang?" his tone change. Vee opened the door, letting him exit before she did, locking the door again.
"Yeah, I guess.." her purse strap sank off her slumped shoulders. "red bandanas, flashy cars," she said, readjusting the strap into place.
"Yeah, I know of them." He looked at her curiously "That who you 'went out' with?"
"No. Well... sorta, met some guy named Jeremy last night, said he was Deathrow." she said her voice still a croak.
"Jeremy..."Nao paused, thinking this over for a moment "As in Jeremy Lynch?" his curiosity made its way to genuine interest.
She only shrugged, "I don't know, he said his name was Jeremy, or Jerm, something like that." She trudged up the block.
"Thats him alright. So, what? You hangin' with the hardest gang in the city now?" he clicked his tongue at her, as he looked off into the distance. "I'll be one of them soon. My guy, Ace, got the hook-up."
"Mm," Veronica acknowledged the assertation, "So you know a guy who goes by D? I think he has a tattoo on the side of his neck that says DCDR" Vee murmured preoccupied with the thought.
"D? Uh... That could be Damien Cruz?" He volunteered his face scrunched with doubt.
"So who is he?" Vee tried to seem less interested than she actually was. Crossing her arms, she continued walking.
"I ain't ever met him. He owns a club downtown but grew up 'round here," Nao looked at Veronica, she could feel his gaze on her. He hesitated before saying any more.
Playing back his entrance in her head, it made sense. Everyone had shifted, an awareness developed in the room. Veronica chewed the thought.
"So that's who you was kicking back with?" Nao prompted.
She shrugged, still taken by thought, "Was just going out for a bit. Weird coincidence I guess. Not like I'll even see them again." It would be better not to see them- she mentally corrected herself. It probably wouldn't happen as long as she had no real reason, but it's nice to know she at least has the option of building connections. Even if those connections are dangerous. She crossed her arms and bit her lip, glancing over at Nao, who was giving her one of her brother's trademarked 'yeah right' looks. This made her laugh, he reminded her so much of Vince. Nao was taller though. He looked much more of a man than her brother did. Nao stood a few inches taller than Veronica herself. He had a baby-face and was skinny but something about the all too knowing looks he gave her aged him.
They approached the last half block of their walk. She caught a glance of the same guy that hit on her before. The man assessed Nao, looking over Vee, and watched the two walk for a moment. He finally nodded at Nao. Nao returned the gesture, placing his arm around Veronica's shoulders.
As they entered the restaurant Veronica stopped inside the door and said, " Remove your arm, if you would like to keep it." Nao gave her a sour childish look but pulled his arm to his side. He looked a bit injured but Veronica didn't like to be touched. She noted to herself how Nao held himself like he was daring someone to try him but already knew they wouldn't. Never faltered, even a single step. Nao eyed the menu like it was made of gold. She smiled softly at him. Maybe he looked more adult than Vince but at times his childlike demeanor truly captured her.
***
"Alright kiddo. Time to entertain yourself. I got work to do." Noa was stretched out on the loveseat watching the fuzzy TV.
"Oh yeah? Does that work include a Mr. Damien Cruz?" he eyed her. Her girlish swooning clearly didn't go unnoticed. Someday girls like Vee would act like that, talking about him, he thought to himself. When he joined Death Row a lot of shit would change.
"While that really isn't your business, no. I'd like to avoid that kind of involvement." Vee chided. Although if she were being honest, she hadn't entirely ruled that out. Veronica grabbed him by his arm pulling him up off the sofa.
"Ye, ye, yeah keep sayin' it but ain't nobody believin' it." Nao let her drag him off the couch and headed for the door. He glanced back at her, a hint of envy narrowed his eyes.
As soon as the door clicked shut, Veronica headed for the closet. Pulling the plastic dress bag off her suit. The dress suit was a classy black jacket and matching skirt. The shirt had a slight ruffle on the collar and was set just low enough. While she pulled her stockings on she clicked through her phone for the driving service app. Veronica spent the next 15 minutes putting on her makeup and stepped outside. Glancing around she walked to the corner and waited.
A sleek car pulled up to the curb. Veronica strutted to the car and paused outside the door. The driver looked around before exiting the vehicle. Veronica waited as he opened the door for her, then she climbed in. The closing of the door seemed so quick, it was almost slammed. "Where to?" The driver asked, locking the doors.
"I'm about to offer you some very steady employment, however, I have some rules." The man looked back at her, curiosity lingered on his brow. "One: My business is my business. It does not concern you, or anyone else, and it certainly does not need your opinion. Two: do not ever question what I tell you to do. Simply do it. And three: the only thing I want to hear out of your mouth is 'Yes ma'am, are we clear on that?" She looked at him authoritatively.
"Yes ma'am." His grin reassured her that he was the right person for this job.
" Excellent. Drive" Without questioning where to, he pulled off from the curb, headed toward city central. She directed him to a local court. He listened without a word. When the car pulled to the curb. She stepped out.
Her heels clicked up the steps to the station front entrance. She walked in, bombarded by the business of the court. She passed through the intense metal detector and walked to a clerk's desk. "Sandra Deegan, attorney at law. I'm here to inquire about my client." The lady at the desk was clean. A change of scenery. Her brown eyes hid behind glasses. She'd looked at Vee with a vaguely familiar expression. The lady looked young but was armed with a very official-looking laminate.
"You'll have to make a..."
"Yes, yes. Through public records. I'm in a very big hurry do you think you could just...."
A small stack of papers clapped onto the desk in front of her. The lady responded with a smile that gave no room for argument. This tone usually worked better for her.
"I just need to confirm his upcoming court date. I thought since I'm already here..." She changed her tactic.
The lady sighed, "Name?"
"Damien Cruz" Veronica's stomach flopped at the sound of the name. The woman looked at Vee seemingly unconvinced, her round face obviously knew the name. She clicked her tongue in Vee's direction and tapped the stack of papers with her pen, her attention returned to her computer.
Veronica grabbed a form reluctantly... "Thanks..." she said glancing back over her shoulder. Silky blonde hair caught her eye. A young woman was escorted past her and cuffed to a bench. Her full lips were set in a pout; her eyes fixated on the ground. "And if you will excuse me. I have another client to attend to." Veronica slid into the seat across from the girl. "Sandra Deegan. Lawyer," she announced. Extending her hand to the girl in front of her.
The girl only looked at her hand, then back at the ground. "I have no money to pay you." Her voice was sullen and she glared at the ground, cursing the universe for teasing her.
"Well it's a good thing I'm not hurting for money," Vee whispered cheerfully, smiling softly at the girl. "What brings you here?"
Her voice was detached almost talking to herself "...Drug trafficking." she didn't sound sure. "I'm... I'm going to prison aren't I?"
"First Appearance?" Vee asked. The girl only nodded. "Naw, you'll be fine."
It took plenty of time for the Judge to call a name the young woman reacted to. Veronica stood with her, announcing herself as the active attorney. The charges were read off and bail was set at $25,000, which might have been a bit out of her current price range on indebted women. As they carted, who she now knew as Anna Wilson, off to jail awaiting the promised bail, Veronica ran her hands through her black locks. She made her way to the desk shuffling around in her purse. She retrieved a checkbook with the names "Sandra & David Deegan" printed neatly in the corner. A particularly useful find from her bout of kleptomania. It had belonged to the parents of her once was best friend. She spent weeks convincing her friend that she had no idea where it had gone, feigning offense to the mistrust her parents had in Vee. To her credit, Mrs. Deegan really was a lawyer. So by the time anyone sorted through the mess this might cause, it'd likely get chalked up to some strange mix-up. Vee inked the signature in flowing font, passing the check across the desk.
***
As the clock struck 3:48pm Anna stumbled out of the jailhouse. Vee noted to herself that the inside always seemed like the cavernous pits of hell the way people shambled out dazed by the light, and vaguely confused by their surroundings. "Well, you just going to stand there? We haven't much time." The blonde shook her head pattering over to Vee. The driver stepped from the car and opened the door for Anna, shutting the door after her.
"Why did you do that? Why are you helping me?" Doe-eyed and hopeful, Anna looked at Veronica with pensive admiration.
"Drug trafficking, huh?" Vee ignored the question, examining her nails with practice, "how did you get caught up in that"
"I... needed the money. I got into some debt with some people and this was the only way to pay them back." her eyes dropped to the floor. Veronica smiled softly.
She tsked the young woman sympathetically "Don't worry, dollface. You're safe now. You may call me Miss Vee."
"I thought your name was Sand.."The girl began, Vee scoffed waving off the rest of the sentence.
"Miss Vee will do." She sighed "Anna Wilson..." Vee said the name with thought, almost as if to say 'what am I going to do with you.' An answer neither of them had.
Anna smiled cautiously. This woman seemed too nice. There had to be some kind of catch.
"Anna, dollface," Vee began, "That life is no place for you. You are a lady of class. You only need opportunity. An opportunity I'm willing to provide." Vee stared at her phone for a long while after speaking. "Rebecca Tayor over on Robertson boulevard." She finally directed the driver.
"Yes ma'am," He eyed Veronica questioningly with as much discretion as he could. What was a gal like her doing dragging a cheap two-bit drug mule to a custom tailor shop? Not a cheap one either. Veronica cut her eyes over at him, forcing him to return his attention to the road. It wasn't his business as she said, but still... curious.
As they pulled up to the quaint little street-side shop, Anna glanced around awkwardly. Vee's smirk acknowledged the effect she was having. She pushed open the door, her heels clicking on the cement.
"Coming, dollface?" Vee said extending her hand. Anna slipped out of the seat and folded her arms around herself. Inside the shop a was quiet and decorative, Vee coughed expectantly. A pale face framed by a short black bob peeked out from a corner. She glanced at Veronica. Her nose crinkled with her smile; as though she was painting her customer service face on in that one motion.
"Welcome, ladies! How are we doing today? Lots of shopping?" Her tone was overly welcoming, that of sales sucking up to a pile of a commission check. "Lovely, lovely piece you have on. Where did you get it? Is it one of ours? You know I only ever end up liking the pieces we make!"
Veronica pulled Anna forward for observation. Anna's uncomfortably oozed from her every pore. Betrayed by her perpetual attempt to implode in upon herself. "I'm thinking something in black, mid-thigh. Think evening wear." The associate nodded at Vee attentively. She pulled out a measuring tape and danced around Anna, filling a page in her small notebook
"Not a problem, I can have a couple of sketches ready in a few hours. Lunchtime?" She suggested.
"Know a good nail salon?" Vee asked snatching Anna's hand studying them the way she seemed to do with her own. Once released Anna shrank her arm away stuffing her hands in her small pockets.
"Nails garden over on Vermont! They are amazing!" The associate dangled her sugared nails in front of Vee. With a nod, Veronica turned and headed toward the door. Anna followed after, unsure whether to be excited or ashamed of the treatment she was receiving.
Outside the driver flicked a cigarette to the ground, opening the door for Vee and her guest. "Nails Garden, South Vermont." Vee spoke. Dutifully, without question, the man ran his hand over his hair and headed to the driver's side. Anna chewed on her lip thoughtfully. "What's the matter? I figured this would be the highlight of your day... well comparatively"
"I…" Anna hesitated. "I can't repay you for this."
Vee chuckled. "The only repayment I want from you is success. Doll, I had a sister just like you. I suppose you remind me of her and I would hope someone would give her this same opportunity." Veronica said this with more honesty than she thought she'd even had in her. A dark laugh ebbed at her, she savored in a half-hearted smile.
"I uh, hope I live up to your sister," Anna said meekly. Her smile filled with admiration and appreciation. Anna hadn't noticed the car stopped till the door opened. The salon smelled of chemicals but in some unfamiliar way, it made her comfortable. She exhaled, decidedly she would enjoy this. Maybe this is the turning point in her life. Maybe this is the universe making up for the shitty hand it dealt her in the first place. Miss Vee had ordered a classic french tip with a design on her ring fingers. It was really cute, Anna had never had her nails done before. She felt like a princess. This was it. She was going to turn everything around. Miss Vee only asked for her success. She could provide that, at least she would try her damnedest.
***
"Yes, all three designs are perfect.." Anna sat on one of the stiff chairs smiling to herself. Listening vaguely to Miss Vee's conversation, still dazed by her nails.
"Oh, I'm happy you like them." The woman, who was apparently named Kayleen, chirped "Which one should I execute?"
"All of them," Vee said shuffling through the sketches.
"Oh…. Um. Sure! I Mean... Yes! Of course! I'll get you rung up right over here!" She trilled, prancing to the register.
"I also want this one to have a sash or belt of some sort. We need shoes and full accessories on all of these. I'll trust your judgment." Veronica set the papers down deliberately, gazing at Kayleen expectantly.
" Alrighty, your total is 22-82 and 70 cents." Kayleen readjusted the card reader on the counter to draw the customer's attention to it. Veronica shifted through her purse pulling out cash, all twenties. Kayleen tried to hold back the perplexity from her face as she counted out Twenty-three hundred dollars in cash. "Perfect now is there a number we can reach you at when these are all set?"
"Yep. " Veronica sifted through her purse again flipping her phone out "555-2387."
"Thanks for coming in!" Kayleen called after them as they left.
Veronica poured the change into Anna's hand. "There is only one thing I'm going to ask… Keep out of trouble, but if you are ever in trouble call me. Got it?" Anna nodded in response.
The ride was silent mostly. Except for the hum of the car, Anna was ecstatic. She couldn't wait to tell Jamie... Jamie….. A pang of guilt hit her in her newly preened stomach. How could she forget about Jamie? Jamie was the reason Anna got caught. Her best friend, who she dragged into muling in order to pay off her debt. When the police showed up she took the drugs off Jamie so only one of them got busted. But now, here she was living the high life when Jamie was probably paying the price for the lost coke. She had to help her! But Miss Vee just said to stay out of trouble… then again she also did say to ask her for help when she was -in- trouble. Does this constitute as herself being in trouble? Does it matter? Her friend could die. But Miss Vee has already been so nice. She couldn't ask her to get involved in this or even to extend the same courtesies to her friend after going so far out of her way. Then again Miss Vee probably wouldn't even know how to deal with those kinds of people…
"What's bothering you, this time?" Vee's annoyance cracking the foundation of her voice. Had this girl no appreciation. $2300. That wasn't fucking cheap. She better be worth this investment.
"It's just… I, um. My…." Anna Stuttered.
"Spit it out." Vee 'encouraged'
"My friend Jamie, I got caught and she got away but they aren't going to be happy and I'm really worried about what might happen to her, I don't know, I know she needs help, and you said not to get in trouble, but this isn't really me in trouble, and I'm really worried." It came out a tangle of words. So strung together it was hardly comprehensible.
"Who's Jamie… Why are they in trouble? Calm down and tell me what's going on." Vee said, prodding gently this time. Two for the price of one perhaps?
"The men I used to work for... Well, Jamie was helping me when I got busted. She got away but now she's probably taking the heat for it. I know I can't ask you to get involved but I got her into this, I have to get her out, " Anna's eyes watered as she peered desperately into Veronica's.
"This Jamie, she's a good friend of yours? One you trust?" Vee thought carefully over her options... Maybe her business would need to involve Mr. Cruz... Or at least some of his company... She chewed on the thought.
"Yes! With my life. I mean she got into this mess because of me, what more could I ask of her?" Anna was set on saving her friend and Vee not having spoken against it only encouraged her.
"Well then," Vee sighed heavily, "I guess it's settled, lets go get her. Where am I gonna find Jamie?" Veronica, completely calm in her facade, waged battle with her choices. Taking note of the fear Anna had but no one seemed to question her capabilities, maybe this half-rate dealer wouldn't either. Just in case, she should definitely have a backup plan whether that involved Cruz or not.
Anna was relieved but hesitant. She scribbled an address on the back of a receipt. "You don't have to get involved in this…" She glanced at Vee from under low lashes. Just thankful for the offer.
Vee released her concentration, deciding this was a thought better left for later "Well then we will deal with all of this after a night's rest. For now, you can stay in the complex I own. It's not much, but you will be safe there." Then addressing the driver, "Right then. Hi-lite Motel" Veronica smiled pleasantly.
Mind wandering back to the current issue at hand, perhaps they can be paid off. Money seemed to solve most of the issues she's had here. Might be best to start with at least finding a way to contact her backup plan though. After dropping off Anna and getting her all checked in Vee sat in the car silently spinning her phone in her hand.
She sunk herself into the back seat. What the fuck was she gonna do? What would she even say after she got ahold of him? 'Yeah, hi, so I saw you with those death row guys and am assuming you're in charge because of how you walk?' Fuckin... ok. What if she was wrong? What if she's spent all this time hunting down a man, the wrong man, simply because he was... interesting? Should she try Jerm? Something about the way he shifted... It was impossible to explain. She just... With a sigh, she brushed off the thought. If she was making choices for the hell of it, she ought not burden those choices with too much introspection.
It was just before dusk when the car stopped outback of "The Obsidian Lounge." The building was active. People rushed in and out. Employees hulled equipment in from large vans. The loading dock was packed with cases of liquor. Well, getting in wouldn't be a problem. Veronica stepped out of the car, her plan not fully formulated. She walked with some purpose into the back door careful not to look around too much and seem lost. She found herself wandering up a set of stairs and down a hallway. The lack of traffic in this area had her second-guessing herself. A man exited one of the closed doors, pacing past her in a hushed conversation on his phone. She waited until he rounded the corner before testing the door he came from. A small office greeted her. Not totally sure of what she was looking for, she hovered over the desk. A paper accounting book sat open, with several notes pasted into it. Paper huh? With every computer program on the planet available what would ever make someone keep this manually? A name, scrawled in blue ink, Jumped off the page and captured her attention. Jeremy Lynch. Now, what is this? She pulled her phone out snapping a quick picture of the book. The mechanical clicking of the door handle had her scrambling to the other side of the desk. She leaned coolly against it, her back facing the accounting journal. As the man walked in his face washed with panic for a moment, eyes darting toward the desk.
"It is about fucking time, dollface." Veronica chided. "You plan on keeping me here waiting forever?"
The man's face traded his panic for confusion, as he slipped his phone back in his pocket. He crossed the room swiftly, seemingly eager to present a distance between the desk and his uninvited guest. "Of course not, Miss...?"
"Night, Nikki Night. With Coles Contracts and Developments." She smiled wide, offering him her hand in an official gesture. He shook her hand firmly; his confusion still evident. She held his hand through the exchange allowing him the comfort of separating her from the desk.
"Right... Miss Night. How can I help you?" He adjusted several things on the desk, including folding closed the accounting book.
"I was just stopping by to see if your boss had considered my offer since our last conversation"
"Your offer?" his frustration seemed to be mounting the more she introduced this clearly new information to him.
"My, my... he hasn't told you? Well, I supposed it's not my surprised to spoil then, now is it?" She shook her head. "I suppose that answers that. Tell Mr. Cruz he has till Saturday to consider my offer" Veronica backed toward the door, eager to dismiss herself. "Tata for now, Dollface." The door clicked shut behind her and she was not sticking around to see if it stayed that way. With perhaps more haste than called for, she flitted down the stairs, her heals clacking loudly. Her exit; not nearly as smooth as the initial infiltration.
"Drive!" She called, the car door closing hard.
The tires squealed as they pulled away from the lot. Veronica's heart pounded so hard she could nearly hear it. She ran her hands through her hair inhaling sharply. Her thoughts were not coherent enough to began reasoning with herself again. She glanced out the back window just to ensure no one had followed the car. With a deep breath, she pulled the phone from her pocket. The screensaver stared back at her; the elegant logo read "The Obsidian Lounge," Nearly choking on her glee she flicked it open only to be greeted with the demand for a password. She licked her lips in disbelief. Okay. It's fine. The internet has to have a way to unlock it. Right? It's fine. She only stole a phone from a nightclub manager... I mean one who is clearly doing business with some less than reputable characters sure... But it's fine. It's probably fine...