casket, and he was full of wrath. He wasted no time when it came to putting in work. He already had shooters on the ground in L.A. watching Samad’s home. They had been tracking his every step all week and had learned his routine. Baron was determined to have Samad in a six-foot hole before 12 A.M. Baron’s home was full of guests, but he was in no mood to socialize. Everyone was respectful and gave him their condolences, but there was only one thing on Baron’s mind.
Murder
Baron couldn’t focus on anything but executing Samad. He only wished that he was there to pull the trigger himself. He went to the mini-bar and poured himself a glass of his finest cognac before taking a seat behind the desk. He took a large gulp and closed his eyes as it burned his throat on the way down. It was funny how quickly life had changed. Things had gone awry in the blink of an eye. He pulled off his neck tie and threw it across the room as he turned to look out of the large floor-to-ceiling windows. His estate was immaculate and vast, but now that he had no one to share it with all he felt was lonely. It was a painful reminder of better times. I’m getting too old for this, he thought, knowing that it was time for him to bow out gracefully. After handling Samad he was through. Without A’shai he had no one to will his empire to. All that he had built over the years would be divided and nitpicked by the vultures until there was nothing left. Years of living the champagne life had come to an ugly end. He sipped his drink and watched his phone, waiting impatiently, torturously, for his peoples to call. He was tempted to check in on them but there was no need. They were well-trained and obedient young killers. They would get the job done. All he had to do was let them play their positions and within the hour balance would be restored to the winning team. His doorbell rang, and he winced because he could feel the headache coming on. There were too many people around him. He wanted to clear the house but he felt that they deserved to be there. They were celebrating Willow’s life. How could he turn them away? He arose from his seat, taking the cordless phone with him as he went to answer the front door.
“We have a flower delivery for Baron Montgomery,” a young white boy said, while holding a black vase with white lilies spilling out of it. Baron stepped to the side and held out his arm to welcome the boy inside. “I have twenty more arrangements in the van.”
Baron couldn’t believe the amount of love that Willow was receiving. The church had been full of flowers and now his home was being invaded with them as well. It showed how much people really would miss his wife. She was a good woman, and the entire hood loved her. They were really showing out for her, and it didn’t go unnoticed by Baron. The people loved him and were sorry for his loss. Once all of the arrangements were inside, Baron tipped the delivery boy and then closed the door.
The ringing of the phone in his hand made Baron pause mid-step as he hurried back to his office to find some solace.
“Is it taken care of?” he asked without saying hello.
“If you’re asking if your little hit squad murdered me, the answer is no.”
Baron clenched his jaw when he heard Samad’s voice.
“Now you’ve got three more funerals to pay for,” Samad said. “I hope you enjoy the flowers. It’s just a little token from me to send my most genuine condolences,” he stated. “Say hello to my friends when they get there.”
Before Baron could respond the line went dead and the sound of yelling alarmed him, causing his attention to shift to the sounds coming from his living room.
“Detroit Police Department! Everyone on the ground now!”
Baron immediately speed dialed his attorney and said, “Meet me downtown as soon as possible.” He hung up just as the task force came into his office with their guns drawn.
“What the fuck is this? You disrespectful mu’fuckas come into my home on the day I bury my wife?” he asked the lead detective. Baron wondered why he hadn’t been tipped off about this little intrusion. As many cops as he