Fiction
Vengeance From The Grave Part 9
A Henry James And Roberto De La Cruz Series
My name is Henry Allen James, and I’m Roberto De La Cruz, and we’re writers for Dark Sides of the Truth magazine.
Part 1, Part 2, Part 3, Part 4, Part 5, Part 6, Part 7, Part 8
After running our plan by Cynthia, the program immediately changed simply because of a name — Alexander. Although she liked the idea of confronting Samual Kingston at his business, she pointed out her last name might possibly set the man on guard.
She was right, of course.
In our rush to bag and tag our prey, it seemed we’d forgotten the golden rule. Never let what you’re hunting get a hint something’s afoot, or they’ll bolt out of sight into the underbrush.
Dwayne Macy had taught us that the hard way.
Huddled around a phone in a conference room at Dark Sides, we all sat back in our chairs, each of us mirroring the same expressions of frustration.
“Okay, baby, then who’s buying the damned car?”
“Henry, your language.”
“Sorry, hon, but we need to move on this pretty quick. If Kingston still has connections at the Dukes front office and finds out, we’ve been poking around…”
“I know, dear, will you just put a sock in it and let me talk for a bit?”
“Mom talks to you like that too old man?”
“Bite me, Johnson.”
“Enough you two. So as I was saying as much as I’d like to be there, I think Roberto should be the one buying the car. And before any of you say anything, Roberto, you need to pick the most expensive car on the lot.”
“Seriously, Ms. Alexander? I can’t afford to…”
“No, but I can. Imagine the attention you’ll get when you start waving two hundred thousand dollars in cash around and insist you’ll only buy the car if the man himself Samual Kingston works the deal.”
“Wow, mom, you’re getting pretty good at this stuff.”
“Why, thank you, Shaundrika. Your father used to swear I tricked him into marrying me.”
“Did you?”
“Sweetheart, I can neither confirm nor deny that.”
“Okay, so I’m a little fuzzy on the details. I buy the car, then what?”
“You don’t actually buy the car, Roberto. You make Kingston think you’re buying the car. What usually comes before the actual purchase?”
“The test drive?”
“Exactly. And on the way over to the police station, we’ll clue him in on the fact we have information which will send him away for a very long time.”
“I don’t know, Henry. This can’t be that simple.”
“Well, since I believe in the KISS method, I think it needs to be just that simple. Besides, what’s the worst that could happen?”
“Oh, Henry, you did not just say that.”
“Dammit, old man. Do you have to jinx this? Again?”
“Look, both your mom and you need to slow your roll. We got this cat dead to rights and sewed up in a bag. We’ll be swinging him around the graveyard at midnight for sure.”
“Do what Henry? What in the hell does that mean? No, wait. Who says stuff like that these days?”
“What’s the problem, princess? Never read any classic literature before?”
“Okay, that’s it. I’m out of here. Rick and I have some cover layouts to discuss.”
“I’m late for a board meeting. We will discuss the details tonight at dinner, Henry. Please don’t be late this time. Love you.”
“Love you too, baby. I’ll be home by six.”
After disconnecting, we sat for a couple of minutes, staring at each other across the table.
“You think you can handle this kid?”
“Like you said, Henry. What’s the worst that could happen?
“That’s my man.”
Friday morning, after receiving our normal going over at Rick’s infamous storyboard session, we hightailed it to the parking garage. After a brief discussion over the driving duties, we agreed on a vehicle and left, heading for the offices of Alexander Investments.
Cynthia was waiting for us in the lobby. She handed over a bulging envelope and then smiled at us.
“Just in case you two get any ideas, I expect every dollar of this to be returned. Understood?”
“Well, there went my plans to buy us a honeymoon vacation.”
“I’m serious, Henry.”
“I know, baby. Don’t worry, Roberto and I will take care of it. Did you make the call like we talked about last night?
“To the police station? Yes, and I’ll be there waiting as well.”
“Whoa. That wasn’t part of the plan, Cynthia.”
“Well, the plan just got changed, baby.”
We pulled into Kingston Auto Group around ten in the morning, got out, and started wandering around, a pair of dudes looking for a set of wheels, staring at sticker prices, and paint jobs.
As expected, it only took three minutes before we were approached.
“Good morning, folks interested in one of these Cayenne’s?”
“I sure am, especially this one.”
The representative stuck out his hand and gave us each a firm handshake.
“The names Charles and I’d love to get you behind the wheel of that baby.”
“I just bet you would. My name’s Roberto De La Cruz, and my buddy here is Henry James.”
“Nice to meet ya, Roberto. Is that Henry James, as in the writer for Dark Sides of the Truth Henry James?”
“One and the same. Booyah Roberto. In your face.”
“Whatever, Henry. Here’s the deal, Charles. See this envelope I’m holding?”
“Yes, sir, I do.”
“Well, inside is enough cash to buy two of these Cayenne Turbos, and I intend to drive away with one. But the deal-breaker is I only want to buy from the owner.”
“You mean Mr. Kingston?”
“Is that his name?”
The man nodded and fell silent.
“Is he here?”
“Yes, sir, he’s here.”
“Then why are you still standing here? Go get him.”
As we watched Charles scurry away, we gave each other a glance, then leaned against the new car, each of us folding our arms as we waited.
“Ah, the game is now afoot.”
“You know what, Henry? I agree with Sunny. Who talks like that anymore?”
“Get used to it, De La Cruz. I ain’t changing the way I talk just for you. Okay, straighten up, here he comes.”
Read On — Vengeance From The Grave Part 10
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