The mike black saga volu.., p.8
The Mike Black Saga Volume 8, page 8
“Are you familiar with them?” Jada asked.
Michael paused. “No. But I know somebody that might be.”
“Who?” I asked.
“Scarlett.”
Jada continued explaining the actions that she took in response and how those actions led to three of Michael’s men being murdered. That led to the attack on Paraíso earlier that night, in which four more of Michael’s men were killed in addition to the five men that attacked them. After that, Michael called and told Bobby that he needed him and Rain on the first flight to Nassau.
The following day I made my first visit to the famous Paraíso. I had heard so much about this place from Wanda, Rain, Meka and Bobby that I was quietly looking forward to seeing it for myself. While Michael, Rain and Bobby went upstairs to Jada’s office to have a drink, I wandered around. It wasn’t long before a woman walked up to me.
“Can I help you with something?” she asked.
“No, I’m just looking around.”
I started to walk away, but she quickly stepped in front of me.
“I asked if I could help you with something?” she asked again.
“And I believe I said no, I’m just looking around.”
“Well I’m—” she started but I cut her off.
“I know who you are. You’re Vivian West.” I paused and Vivian looked confused. “I’m Cassandra Black.” And that seemed to wipe the smug look off of her face.
Now she was all smiles and offering to show me around. And I have to say that I was honestly impressed. I was just telling her that I thought the place was fabulous, when Jada came in the bar. The second Vivian saw her come in, she quickly excused herself and went to report to Jada. Vivian said a few words to her and then she walked away. Since neither one of us really wanted to speak to the other, Jada and I exchanged half-smiles and then we walked toward one another.
“Hello, Jada.”
“Hello, Shy,” she said as she got closer. “You look very nice in that dress.”
We had a drink together and talked politely for a while, before one of her people came into the bar and told Jada about a problem in the kitchen. After she excused herself from the uncomfortable conversation we were having, Jada asked the woman to show me to her office.
“So what we gonna do?” Rain asked when I came in the office.
“We’re gonna pay a visit to Malkiel Easton.”
Then Bobby glanced at me and then back to Michael. “What I wanna know is why you handed power to Jada West and not Leonard?” he asked. And I was very interested in hearing the answer that he would give Bobby.
“Jay told me once that Leonard was a good soldier, but he was a petty and vengeful man.”
“That’s not the kind of mutha fucka you want carrying power,” Rain said.
“No, he’s not. Then there’s that fact that this has been going on for months and I had to hear about it from Bernadette.”
“Not that I’m disagreeing with you, but some might say he was just being loyal to Jay,” Bobby said.
“True. But I stand by my point. But there’s one more thing.”
“What’s that?”
“He let these niggas set up shop on my island, and now we gotta deal with them.” Michael looked at me and winked. “Now, here’s what we’re going to do when we get to Malkiel.
As I sat and listened to what they had planned for Malkiel Easton, I thought about the polite but uncomfortable conversations that I’ve had with Jada. Even though she thinks she is, that bitch ain’t slick. Even if he doesn’t want her, and he doesn’t, I know she still wants Michael. But you know the old saying, ‘keep your enemies close’. Well it goes double for sneaky bitches that wanna fuck your man.
Chapter Five
New York City
We had been back in the city for over a week now, and things were just starting to return to normal. Jamaica was in rehab, and that morning I was going with Mommy to her next chemo treatment, and this time we went alone. Michael chose not to come with us this time. He said that he had a meeting with Meka that morning.
“And Scarlett is back from her tour. I was gonna go by there and see if she knows anything about The Grenadine Boys,” Michael said.
When Mommy and I arrived at the center, once again, we were eventually greeted by Stephanie, Dr. Mensforth’ nurse practitioner. She talked to us about the side effects of the chemo drugs she’d be taking, how soon the side effects may show up, and what measures she could take to reduce or prevent the side effects. Then we went over how many treatments she'll be receiving and how often.
“So get ready. You are embarking on a course of treatment that is designed to get rid of cancer throughout your body, wherever a malignant cell might be hiding.”
After that, we were escorted to a room and the treatment began. A couple of hours into her treatment regimen, Mommy fell asleep, and I took the opportunity to go and get something to drink. As I walked I thought about all I had learned about Mommy’s diagnosis, treatment plan, and the possible side effects. I wanted to know everything about it so I could help her deal with it. The whole thing was a little overwhelming for her. And if I had to be honest, it was a bit overwhelming for me, too.
“That is too pretty a face to be looking like that.” I looked around and there was Dr. Spencer Mensforth.
“I’m just worried about my mom, that’s all.”
“I can certainly understand that, Mrs. Black, but the good news is that most chemo regimens are shorter today than they were just twenty years ago.”
“Really?”
“Really. Have a seat and let me try to ease your fears,” Dr. Mensforth said, and extended his hand toward a table.
I looked at him for a few seconds. I know this man is on me and he is on me hard. Although him wanting to ease my fears was very nice, I know it is just his way of trying to get with me. Game or not, I needed to hear the information that he has, so I reluctantly accepted his invitation and sat down at the table.
“Compare chemo with taking antibiotics. Few of us hesitate to take antibiotics to fight bacterial infections. Well, chemo does the same thing to cancer cells: it kills them.”
“I just wish that she didn’t have to go through any of this.”
“You and everybody else.” He laughed a little. “The field is moving toward using the right drugs at the right time, in the right patients. We’re moving toward a more precise understanding of cancer, and being able to tailor therapies toward an individual’s cancer.”
“So the treatment regimen that my mother is on is designed specifically for her cancer?”
“Yes, it was. Do you remember all the tests that we ran prior to beginning her chemo regimen?”
“Yes.”
“From that we generate a pathology report that contains key information about your mother’s particular cancer. How big the tumor is, how aggressive it is, and so much more. We use that information to formulate her treatment plan.”
“I understand. I assume that it’s designed to lessen the impact of the drugs because from what I can see, chemo is going to be hard on her,” I said and looked at the way the doctor was looking at me. It was like I was a juicy steak and he was ready to devour me. “Do you think there will ever be something that will replace the need for chemo?”
“It’s a question we are all asking. I think we are definitely moving further and further away from chemotherapy and more toward molecularly targeted therapy.”
“What’s that?”
“Molecularly targeted therapy blocks the growth of cancer cells by interfering with specific targeted molecules needed for carcinogenesis and tumor growth,” he said and smiled. “But I talk about cancer and treatment regimens all day.” He leaned closer to me and his hand brushed against mine. “I’d much rather talk about you, Mrs. Black,” he said, and my cell rang.
I looked at the screen and saw that it was Dale calling. I was glad that she called. One, because I hadn’t talked to her in over a week, and two, his conversation was starting to stray into areas where I wasn’t interested in taking it.
“Excuse me. I need to take this call.” I turned away and swiped talk. “What’s up, Dale.”
“I’m surprised you answered the phone.”
“Just had a lot going on, Dale. I’m at chemo with my mom right now.” I asked and glanced over my shoulder at Dr. Mensforth. He was waiting patiently for me to get off the phone. “What’s up with you?”
“I’m not gonna hold you then, I just wanted to see if you wanted to come with me to this place called Lounge 357 tomorrow night?”
“Lounge 357? What’s that?”
“It’s a club on Lex.” Dale is always finding clubs for us to check out. She hasn’t changed a bit. Even when we were teenagers, Dale always knew where the party was.
“Sounds good. What time you talking about?”
“Whatever time is good for you.”
“Tomorrow night around eleven?”
“That’s fine,” Dale said.
“You meeting me there or you want me to come get you?”
“You know I love being chauffeured around like a celebrity.”
“What you trying to say?”
“That I’ll see you tomorrow night around eleven.”
“Bye, girl.” Once I ended the call I turned to Dr. Mensforth and started to get up. “Well, I’m going to get back to my mother now. And thank you so much for easing some of my fears about chemo.”
He stood up. “No problem. It was a pleasure talking to you. In fact, I’d like to talk to you some more. Maybe you’ll let me take you to lunch or dinner or whatever.”
And there it is, or whatever. I shook my head. “No, Dr. Mensforth, I am quite sure that you and I should keep this a purely professional relationship.”
He smiled. “I understand. Sure there is nothing I can say or do to change your mind?”
“No,” I said, and started to walk away.
“Your mouth says no, but your eyes are telling me yes, Mrs. Black.”
I stopped and looked at him. “Then my eyes are lying to you,” I said, and walked away.
The next morning in my Corporate Finance class we were studying the capital asset pricing model. It’s used to determine a theoretically appropriate required rate of return of an asset, if that asset is to be added to an already well-diversified portfolio, given that assets non-diversifiable risk. The model takes into account the asset's sensitivity to non-diversifiable risk, and a whole lot of other stuff that I don’t understand or honestly care anything about.
“One of the assumptions of capital asset pricing model is that it aims to maximize economic utilities. Asset quantities are given and fixed. What are some of the other assumptions? Anyone?”
“They are rational and risk-averse, and they trade without transaction or taxation costs,” one of my classmates answered.
“Good.” He looked around the room. “Anybody else?” I raised my hand. “Cassandra.”
“They are broadly diversified across a range of investments. They can also lend and borrow unlimited amounts under the risk-free rate of interest.” I paused. “And they deal with securities that are all highly divisible into small parcels.”
“Excellent. They are price takers, in other words, they cannot influence prices,” the instructor said, and that was when my cell started ringing. While he gave me a look that said I was interrupting the class, I silenced the phone and then I looked at the display.
Dr. Mensforth.
I started not to answer it, but since it could be about my mother’s treatment, I had to answer. “Hello,” I said quietly, and I gathered up my things and headed toward the exit.
“Good morning, Mrs. Black. Dr. Mensforth calling. Is this a good time?”
“Actually, I was in class.”
“Oh really, what are you taking?” he asked even though I just told him that I was in class.
“I’m working on my Master’s; taking a class in Corporate Finance. But like I said, I am in class, so what can I do for you?”
“Oh, I’m sorry.” He paused. “Okay then, I won’t take up a lot of your time. I was just wondering if you were free for lunch today?”
“No, Dr. Mensforth. I am not free for lunch today or any other day. Like I said, I’m in class now, so I’m going to hang up and get back to class. And honestly, Doctor, you calling me—” I paused. “Not a good idea. So unless it’s about my mother, I’ll thank you not to call this number anymore.”
“How about dinner and the theater?”
“Good bye.” I ended the call and went back in the lecture hall and wondered if this man was going to become a problem.
Chapter Six
Mike Black
I looked out the window of the cab on the way to Meka’s office for our monthly meeting. She needed to update me on some things, and I had some things I needed to talk to her about. Now that Scarlett was back from her tour, part of my day included talking to her to see what she can tell me about The Grenadine Boys. I was smart enough to know that me killing a few people and having agent McCullough send some of her friends at the DEA to make arrests and confiscate a little product, wasn’t going to scare these boys off my island. Using the Bahamas as a springboard into Miami made sense.
Since I hadn’t heard from Ms. West since I left the island, I’m going to assume that either everything is fine or she’s handling it. But I knew they’d be back, and I needed to be ready for them when they came; so I needed information.
When I got to Meka’s office, her personal assistant, Chloe, told me that her meeting with Donald Anthony had run long and asked me if I would mind waiting. “Not at all.”
Donald had assumed Cassandra’s position as chief operating officer; a position that I believe she wouldn’t mind having back. Lately, Cassandra has been on this mission to redefine herself. We’ve had a lot of conversations recently where she’s told me that she feels like she has lost herself. That she feels like she is always everything to everyone else, but she hasn’t done the things that she needs to do for herself.
“It’s not that I don’t absolutely love being your wife and our children's mother, but I need more out of life.”
I can understand that, I mean, I’m not insensitive to what she’s going through. That’s why when she said that she was finally going back to school to get her master’s and she told me about starting this import/export business, I was all for it.
“Anything I can do to make it happen or help you in anyway, I’m here for you.”
And I meant it.
So last week when Cassandra hit me with the fact that I was just hanging out with Bobby and my family needed me, she needed me, didn’t I have any problem agreeing with her. I love Cassandra and I love our family life, so I was willing to do whatever I needed to do, because a happy Cassandra is the only path to a happy life.
Once I finally got in with Meka, she went over the profit and loss statement in more infinitesimal detail than she usually does. Yes, Meka is anal, but that’s one of the many reasons I hired her to replace Wanda when she took over. It was one of the better decisions I’ve made, at least on this side of the house. Wanda’s reign was a disaster, but Meka’s reign as president of our legitimate business has been an overwhelming success. In the time she’s been in the position, Meka has increased profits by thirty-four percent.
When she was finished with her presentation, Meka went into what she calls, “needs, wants and things to know”. Which breaks down to her needs, her wants and things I need to know. We had finished, and I approved all the things on her wish list, which at this point is just a formality since Meka has the complete freedom to do what she wishes or thinks best when it comes to the operation of the business, and had moved to the things that I need to know.
“I need to make you aware of what’s going on with Paul.”
“Go ahead.”
Paul ‘P Harlem’ Roberts was out on bail awaiting trial for murder, after he killed one of my men, because both of them were fucking Lola Luv.
“For one, both his and Lola’s sales have spiked, and the trend is holding for the moment.”
“Nothing like going to jail to improve your street cred,” I said and shook my head.
“It helps that he manages to get himself on television a lot.”
“True.”
“Anyway, he’s going before the grand jury next week to see if they’re going to indict for murder.”
“Which reminds me, Wanda is back.”
Meka looked up at me and smiled. “I’m glad to hear that.” She laughed a little. “Glad you two kids finally kissed and made up,” Meka said.
“Anyway, give her a call. She’ll be a big help with the grand jury.”
“I’ll do that. Anything else we need to talk about?”
“Yes. We need a new jet.”
“Why?”
“Jake spends a lot of time doing repairs so it can stay in the air. Last week he had to do some work on the landing gear, and some minor re-seal work on the fuselage.”
“Re-seal work on the fuselage doesn’t sound promising.”
“I know, so I want to buy a new plane.”
“What kind of plane?”
“Jake wants to get the Cessna Citation M2.”
“How much, Mike?”
“It costs about four point two million, but Jake tells me it’s forty-four percent lower than the average light jet.”
“Oh, well, if that’s the case, I should be dancing on the desk.”
I took out the paper Jake gave me. “Jake said to give you this. He said it would answer all of the questions that you’re about to ask me.”
Meka took the paper. “Seven-passenger layout, a maximum range of thirteen hundred nautical miles, max cruise altitude of forty-one thousand feet.” Then Meka started laughing.
“What?”
“Jake included a personal note that says: and if time is of the essence, Meka, this baby is fast, but it’s safe too.”
“He said you’d be impressed. Are you?”
