The Hill (Ch 18)

"Do it," yelled Duane into the phone. He slammed down the receiver and leaned back in his chair. His office was quiet. He lit up a cigar and sipped on some cognac.

It wasn't often that he was able to sit in silence. There was always somebody wanting to talk to him about something. A new business, improvements on the club, auditions to be a performer and more recently dealing with Reginald's business affairs. But at this point, it's 3 am and the world around him has quieted down a little.

"We've made it too far to let this little pussy take us down," said Duane to himself. He knew it was a risk, but it was one he was willing to take.

Duane had thought a lot about dropping out of the business. He didn't want to spend the rest of his life dodging the cops and thinking of new ways to avoid custody. This kind of life took a toll on him and his health. Earl and Gerald would always get high to get away from their problems. Duane stopped smoking weed a long time ago, that old dope boy proverb. 'Don't get high off your own supply...' Duane was about to break that rule.

He went out to the warehouse and opened a box that contained his stash. He took one of his cigars and gutted it and refilled it with weed. As he lit it up and took a puff, he heard the doors behind him open. Two of his boys dragged Shaun into the room and threw him down at Duane's feet. Earl walked in behind them. He screwed the silencer tightly onto his .45.

"Fuck me," asked Duane as he took a toke. Shaun looked up at him with tears rolling down his bloody and bruised face. "Duane, please don't do this," Shaun said as he cried. "Don't beg me nigga. You shoulda thought about that shit when you started fuckin' with my boy," said Duane. "You're a real tough guy, Shaun," said Duane. "You hit Reggie with some low blows; his friend dies and you fuck with him. He breaks up with his girl, and you fuck with him. Then you want to fuck with me by association," Duane said as he walked around Shaun.

Shaun began to cry heavily. "You know you done fucked up right," Duane said with an evil smile. "Put him in the chair," said Duane. Duane's guys tied Shaun to a metal chair and dragged him to the back parking lot. "Any last words bitch," asked Duane. "Please..." said Shaun. "Shut the fuck up, I've heard that already," Duane said. Earl aimed his piece at Shaun and prepared to pull the trigger. "No, don't shoot him. I want him to feel this," Duane said. He walked over to Shaun and taped his mouth closed. "Burn him," Duane said. Earl went to the pump and put gas into a container. He walked slowly back over to Shaun and smiled.

"I'll be inside," Duane said as he walked back in. Duane walked back to his office and sat back down as he smoked on the cigar. "Damn," he whispered. Tears began to form in his eyes.

Hours later, Reginald is in his bed. Yvonne is next to him with her arm draped over his body. Reginald opens his eyes and sees the time. It's 10:37 am. Reginald sat up and groaned. He got out of bed and check his voicemail. He listened as message after message came in about Big Mic. Mostly just reporters still trying to get the scoop. "How'd they get my home number," he asked himself.

"They pay very well," Yvonne said quietly. Reginald turned and saw her standing in the doorway. "Good morning," said Reginald. They embraced tightly. "How you feeling this morning," asked Yvonne. "I'm okay, just sore," said Reginald. "You wanna get some breakfast," asked Reginald. "Sure," said Yvonne.

The two got cleaned up and dressed and headed down to a local diner.

"Man, I love the pancakes in here," Reginald laughed. The waitress smiled. "They are the best in the city," she said. "Oh, those are so fattening," Yvonne laughed back. "Let me get some fresh fruit and some turkey bacon," Yvonne said. The waitress took her order and went on to the back. Reginald and Yvonne held hands across the table.

"Reggie, it's funny with us being here like this," Yvonne said. "I know you're having a hard time, but I'd like to think that I have a positive influence on your mood," she said. "Oh yeah, you do," Reginald said with a smile. "We haven't really known each other that long, but I care about you a lot, and I don't see any way that changes," Reginald continued. "Reggie, I don't want to run you off or anything, so I hope this doesn't make you uncomfortable," she said.

Reginald almost braced himself, but he thought it would probably be unnecessary.

"Reggie, I love you. I know we've got a big age difference, and folks are going to stare and talk, but I don't care. I've completely fallen in love with you. I would do anything for you, no matter what. I just want you to be happy," said Yvonne.

Reginald wasn't really surprised. He had very similar feelings.

"Yvonne, since we met, and especially since we've been seeing each other, I don't think I've ever had a better relationship. You've been so good to me and you're always there for me, under any circumstance. I truly believe your unconditional friendship towards me sparked a flame," Reginald said. Yvonne found a tear streaming down her left cheek and then another down her right cheek. "I love you, Yvonne," Reginald said. Reginald stretched across the small table and he and Yvonne kissed softly.

As they sat back down their food arrived. Just as Reginald was about to tear into his pancakes, his phone rang. "Excuse me," he said to Yvonne as he got up. "Hello," he said.

"Reginald," said a familiar voice. "Brandie," said Reginald in a quiet and curious manner. "Brandie, what do you need?"

"Reggie, what did you do with Shaun," she said as her voice cracked. "What are you talking about," asked Reginald. "Shaun is gone. His front door was left open and his phone is off. His car is still parked outside and there's blood all inside the car," said Brandie. "I heard about your fight," she said. "Slow down Brandie," said Reginald. "I haven't seen him since our fight at the club," said Reginald. "I went home right after that," said Reginald.

"I'm calling the police Reggie," she screamed into the phone. "I hate you!" The call disconnected.

"Fuck," Reginald said quietly. He called Duane immediately. Duane didn't answer the phone. Reginald left a voicemail. "Duane, call me as soon as possible, I need to holla at you," he said.

Reginald walked back into the diner and sat down. His appetite was quickly going away. "Yvonne, that fool from last night is missing. Brandie just called me and accused me of being involved," he said. "That's crazy," said Yvonne. "You were with me all night," said Yvonne. "I know," said Reginald.

Reginald's phone rang again. "Hold on Yvonne, I'm sorry," said Reginald. "Duane," said Reginald. "Come down to the diner, at the corner of 5th and Stanley," said Reginald. "Done," said Duane.

Moments later Duane rolled up in his black Yukon. He walked in and quickly spotted Reginald and Yvonne.

"Reggie, what's going on man," said Duane. "That damn Shaun is missing, and after last night, it's going to look like I did something to him," said Reginald. Duane frowned and chewed his cigar. "C'mere," Duane said as he pulled Reginald out of the booth. "Outside," he continued as he walked out the door. Yvonne watched with a very concerned look on her face. She couldn't make out the words of the conversation, but it was very intense.

"D, you are my boy, probably my best friend," said Reginald. "But I know some of the ill shit you've been involved in. If you did something to Shaun, I don't want to know anything about it. I'd rather not know. As far as I'm concerned, Shaun took a long and unexpected vacation," Reginald finished. Duane stood there with a scowl on his face. "Reggie, I didn't know he was missing until you told me. Fuck, I don't know where that bitch-ass nigga is," Duane said. "Just chill, it'll be all right," he said. "Go inside and eat them pancakes and order me some with some links. I gotta make a quick call," said Duane.

Reginald breathed a sigh of relief. "Okay," he said as he walked back inside the diner.

Duane dialed a number on his phone. Earl answered. "Bleach that burn in the back, and find that titanium tub. We gotta get rid of them remains," Duane said.