Family of Monsterz, page 11
Without saying another word Box gave Red a firm head nod of agreement and continued to stare into space. This was officially the most difficult thing he’d ever had to deal with. But he knew that he had no choice but to hold strong throughout the entire process, it was the only way that he could guarantee that his family would remain a unit. Red’s uncle was coming from three to four hours away, but Frankie pulled up with a trunk full of different cleaners, and fresh paint for the walls. This wasn’t his first experience with a dead body that needed to be cleaned up in a manner that wouldn’t leave a trace. He’d also brought carpet covers to wrap the body in, because of Rose’s initial call from the apartment before Eugene was dead, he was ready for what he was walking in to.
What he hadn’t expected was a very obviously broken Box to be standing in the doorway of the apartment as he entered the building. After having helped Frankie upstairs with the things he’d brought to clean up Rose’s mess, Box openly collapsed into the arms of Frankie who he’d seen only a handful of times, overcome with grief of losing his father and overwhelmed with concern for what would become of his family by him allowing his mother and father to be alone together yet again. He had internalized the necessity to protect those he knew to be family, his mother and little brother. In his fragile and young mind, not only had he failed to be their protection, but he’d allowed his mother’s situation to endanger them all.
As though Box had been a product of his own bloodline Frankie stood holding him as though the glue to piece Box’s very broken glass heart would flow through his own fingertips. Not knowing exactly how to fix this, what he did know was that he had to get rid of that body and find a way to make it seem like Eugene had never come home. After allowing Box to calm down Frankie told him they should go inside. Once in the apartment he called Rose.
“Hey flower,” He chuckled as she answered, in his attempt to make light of the situation.
“I don’t feel like a flower, I hope that you have it all under control at the apartment. What do you need sir?” Rose continued.
“I need you to please after getting looked at, please come get this car and make it disappear. Doesn’t matter where but far, far, far, away from here, if I need to get you later that can be done but we need this car to leave and never come back. I know a few guys that owe me favors but I’d hate to have you go see any of them on your own. Can you take care of this for me?” He explained in his most serious voice.
“Right now, or later on tonight after everyone has left?” She asked.
Looking around the apartment he concluded, “I’ll let you know when the time come, I promise. Truth is I want you to need me to come and get you so I’ll figure it all out I just want you to do what I need. Rose when the day ends, we need to talk.”
Hearing Frankie in the apartment Red came from the living room as though he was star struck. While Frankie presented himself to Box and Gene initially as Uncle Frankie or just Frankie, but in the streets, he was King Cobra. While Box instilled fear in the hood from his stature, the people that feared Frankie knew of his tattoos. Since it was warm outside, today he showed up in a T-shirt that revealed not only his muscular build but the tattoo of a huge black King Cobra, which started with its head on the top of his hand and the body that wrapped around his forearm and its tail stopped in the center of his bicep. That was all Red needed to see, he’d never imagined that Frankie was the man he’d been looking for.
Like Ice Cube from N.W.A. had walked into Box’s apartment Red stood mouth wide open staring. He’d stared at Frankie so hard that Frankie decided that they needed to focus and began giving out instructions. While he was known in the streets as a danger to anyone that crossed him, Frankie made it a point to do well by children no matter the color or creed. Together he, Box, and Red had cleaned every inch of the apartment that required clean up. Knowing firsthand that Box was not ready to deal with the body at all himself, Frankie enlisted both he and Red to take the wrapping of the body upon himself. Stopping briefly to drink a beer on the fire escape, as he sat there, feet dangling he watched a white van pull up to the back of the building. Three somewhat tall brunette white men got out carrying paint, cleaning supplies, and other things, walked into the back of the building. Within a few moments there was a knock at the door.
What immediately struck Frankie was that there were no police, the evening air was absent the sound of any siren, and while there were people in the building not one had come out to see what was going on with the unmarked van in the back. Box now sitting on the couch never moved unable to control his thoughts much, his focus was on keeping his family safe, Red got up and looking out the peep hole saw his uncle and opened the door.
“Zio, thank you for coming.” Red started as he moved aside so that his family could enter. “This is Amell or Box is what I call him. Zio I cannot let my friend go to prison, but I have an idea of a way to make this pay for you and for me. Will you please help us?”
But before Carmine could respond to Red, Frankie walked back into the apartment off the fire escape.
Speaking Italian Carmine looked at Frankie as though he was dumbfounded, “Cosa ci fa il re Cobra? Come lo conosci?”
Clearly not expecting for Frankie to have understood his request for information he took a strong step towards Red, to which Frankie replied, “Se sai chi sono, perche non stai parlando con me? Listen, I don’t want or need any trouble here. Speak to me directly or proceed with your nephew without information about me, he doesn’t know me. I’m not here for him.”
Frankie because of his tattoo’s and then crimes he committed when he first got home without being caught or arrested for them made a huge name for himself.
Calmly turning his attention back to his nephew Carmine continued, “Am I here for you or not?”
Knowing that this was his only chance to speak up Red spoke up, “Listen, I called. I need your help, helping my only friend. Box has stood up for me over and over, I just wanted to help him keep his family. I knew you wouldn’t do this for nothing so I figured we could pull our weight. What I didn’t know was that his mother’s friend is King Cobra, either way, he showed up to help too…”
Carmine turned toward the window, staring at the rear parking lot. Carmine an intelligent man raised to play the game with the best of them. His father had led the cities deepest mob tied family for the majority of his life, and his father’s father before him as well. Their family owned half the police department and what he didn’t own he had the money to buy. One of the largest cocaine and heroin suppliers to this part of the world came directly through Carmine’s fingertips. Not to mention his eager desire to get his hands into some of the underground gambling going on in the city at the same time.
Frankie’s reputation in the streets was that he was a good man, but the wrong man to play with. Something Carmine needed to have on his team, because of them all he didn’t have anyone who was as smart or as ruthless as Frankie. Carmine stood running his fingers through his beard. As he mulled it over Frankie added, “Box doesn’t do a thing without my blessing and acknowledgement. Same time if he’s doing jobs to repay his debt I will be as well. Since you know who I am, that should mean that I’m worth my weight in gold. If groomed by me, he will be worth twice that.”
Taking in every word spoken Carmine continued his train of thought, staring at Box he began speaking his thoughts aloud, “You understand how serious this is right, this is a man’s contract which come with men’s consequences if broken in any way.” his head swaying as he continued and began to pace as though his brain worked harder when his body was in motion. His steps discontinued with in mere steps between them, “Men die for the help and protection my last name carries. I just want to know that you understand. Truthfully, I don’t know if you know just how valuable your uncle is by himself. I will help, but you owe me the next two years of your life or $250,000 whichever we reach first. In that time, you’ll be on my payroll. You, him, and Reginald. I get all of you in this deal. Next week you’ll get your first assignments.” Then with a sly grin like the cat who got the canary he continued stroking his beard as he started walking at a snail’s pace, “You guys get out of here. Go out the back, get in the car and never come back. Box if anyone ever asks the dead guy had a drinking gambling problem. Me and the guys were never here… Nor were any of you, if you have any problems at all get in touch with my nephew. Other than that, keep your mouth closed, no matter what the problem I’ll help you. You speak to me, no one but me and your uncle.
Then turning to Frankie Carmine smiled, “And you sir,” he said as he extended his hand, “I look forward to the money we shall make. The loyalty and friendship we shall create will be an amazing bonus.”
Shaking hands with him Frankie knew the value of the connection made as he came to stand by the boys. His pride however, allowed him to say nothing as they made their exit, he slid Carmine his number.
Once inside the car he’d driven there in, Box looked at Frankie but before he could speak Red started talking. “Frankie, my uncle has never done more than laugh at me. I think you just got me the chance I’d been looking for.”
Frankie had no real response. He could only think of the old movie line “Here’s looking at you kid.”. In his mind, he knew that before the money there would have to be other conversation. Carmine was a million-dollar connection, one he currently couldn’t afford to lose or mess up. When they pulled in front of Red’s mother’s home Red excitedly exited the vehicle leaving Frankie and Box alone for a moment.
Frankie stared down at Box for several seconds before speaking. Not even close enough to sundown but already an eventful day.
“Amell,” he began, “I know I’m not your father, and I don’t expect to be considered that, but I am a fan. I’m more than just a fan if you’ll let me be. I’ll always be around for the three of you. As the man of the family I need you to know that I am only a phone call away. This game you just stepped into is nothing nice Amell. I just hope you’ll let me be the one to show you the way. Yeah Red is down for you. But Carmine is about himself, and no matter what anyone says we ain’t nothin’ but niggas to them let me make you something to be feared, respected, and honored. Those are the only languages they speak.”
Box simply nodded, then hugging Frankie one last time he stepped out of the car with both feet planted firmly on the ground and stood a new man. His heart had begun to harden on a level no one would understand so he kept knowledge of this change and its changes to himself. Protecting his brother and mother paramount in his mind. To him they’d already experienced more than enough. In his mind even his stride was different. About six weeks following Eugene’s disappearance was the first of many jobs to be done for Carmine. Turmoil triggered rage in Amell, the guilt he felt for allowing things between his parents to get so bad that his father was now deceased was beginning to torture him with grief. His mother obviously in pain, his brother confused, left him in emotional quicksand alone.
Carmine and his boys had trashed the apartment after completing the cleanup and body removal. Rose as instructed had gone out of town, her cousin both cleaned and junked his car with no paperwork since he worked at a junkyard no one ever questioned the car’s presence. They just figured it had been junked and began selling its parts within hours of its arrival. Rose had been paid and her cousin had been given a car to use to take her back home without missing a beat. Frankie kept the boys busy while Rose handled her end. Months later when finally asked what she knew of his whereabouts Rose explained the domestic violence and that she could prove that she’d left Eugene months ago. She even managed to cry without provocation, as if she’d been coached by an Emmy nominated actress. The police never stopped the boys who were viewed as being too young and square to know anything of value about his disappearance.
The reality of the entanglement didn’t set in for Box until Frankie was at his house before he could get out of school one day. As the three boys walked into the house Frankie said “I was waiting on you Box. What’s up Red and Gene…”.
Box stopped a few feet in front of Frankie, who stood and began to usher Box to the door. Knowing something was up he instinctively followed, even if Frankie didn’t care about him at all Box knew he cared about his mother. The look on his face meant business. Nothing could have prepared Box for his next few hours of life, but those hours would give him a glimpse of his future in a lot of ways.
They drove for the first fifteen minutes in silence before Frankie gave up trying to find the best way to say what was about to happen and just started explaining. “Box there’s no great way for you to be told about taking your first life. I’m a soldier Box and as a man for me it’s still different taking the lives of men that have done nothing to me personally. But remember Box these men will kill you if given the chance, so the time for second guessing gone.” Then looking for a sign of thought and comprehension Frankie looked him in the eye for a moment then back at the road before continuing. “Box this here is a crash course and you live by your gut. But when you’re with me you do everything, I tell you and nothing that I don’t. This ain’t no game. When you make mistakes, people die that aren’t supposed to. I’m not superman, I can’t always save you Box. It’s important that you pay attention to me.” Then with a smile he finished, “Close your eyes now, trust me, you won’t be able to later.” With what seemed like a mere wave of his hand Frankie had turned his music back on and Box was sleep a few minutes later.
“Wake up Box,” Frankie began in a voice eerily calm. Without looking at Box he continued, “Third house on the left.”
Box lifted his arm just barely pointing saying, “The canary yellow one.”
Frankie nodded and began talking, “I did a lot of things. Until I say you’re ready just take good mental notes and play follow the leader. I’m pretty sure that you’re a quick learner. Prove me right and I’ll keep you right.” Dusk outside, sun beginning to hide in the distance allowing the moon to slip in the sky a beautiful canvas creating a romantic backdrop for someone’s night. Or as in their case creating an ominous feeling draping the neighborhood in red.
“We’ll be around here for a day or two. Your mom knows, fuck school, and you’re with me on your own because you and Gene are the only children in this game, I’ll ever be responsible for. Red is alright but the bond I’m building here in your bloodline…” shaking his head ever so slowly Frankie continued. “Red has all the family he needs for grooming. Y’all don’t and I know why. I’m going to make sure that whoever you decide to become, you get to. Gene too, only difference is you chose.” As they began to pull off, he continued, “We’re here for Carmine, this has to be done quiet. The owner of the house’s name is Marlow Sharp. That house belongs to Marlow and wife. He owns a company; she is a housewife according to what I could dig up. Just to be clear. Marlow is the assignment, however if his wife intervenes or gets in the way at all then she will become part of this. To be honest I operate based on not spilling more blood than asked or necessary because that’s when things become complicated. So, to make sure that we do this right, we’re going to watch for a day and two nights, and then I’ll say what the plan is.”
After finding them accommodations for two, they grabbed a bite to eat and took a short nap. The whole time Frankie made sure to set the bar of expectation for Box at simply staying awake and alert. Making clear that this would all end in a dead body and that he had to be ready, and paying attention because he would eventually be on his own seeking only insight and advice on occasion soon and very soon. This would be an entrance exam of sorts from the way Frankie had explained it. Crazy part was that Box had been unintimidated. Frankie looked at him differently from the moment he agreed to Carmines arrangement. From that moment he had to be considered a man whose word was his bond, something Frankie had to learn the hard way. That night was filled with instructions from what not to do to everything that had to happen in the best circumstances. The goal being to get in and drug them, Carmine had given Frankie enough Methadone to take care of them both if used correctly.
The night revealed that they were the only ones there and left for work one just before 8 AM and the other at about 8:30 AM. Frankie and Box watched all day revealing that they weren’t about to have unannounced company or anything wild. From what they could see the couple retired early and to different parts of the home which to a certain extent could make things simpler.
Using this as his opportunity to have a rule of thumb when planning things out, which was to K.I.S.S. the target. K.I.S.S. meaning to Keep It Simple Stupid. Frankie’s plan being to go in during the day while they were at work to check out the layout and master the plan as they would prefer it to go. As predicted, they’d left on time, not expected to return to the home within a two-hour window of time. Parking a ways away and taking only one small bag they entered the home through the back relatively easily. Frankie had made sure they both had on perfectly fitted leather gloves, fingerprint problems weren’t a problem he needed. It was beautiful outside so footprints wouldn’t really be an issue.
Their final day in town after filling up the gas tank and eating, Frankie and Box parked in the same familiar spot. They’d been watching the Sharp’s home for days and plotted out what was going on according to lights and times of activity. Frankie needed to be able to demonstrate that Box was ready and could handle assignments on his own or with supervision.
