Career Criminal

Career Criminal:

The First of a Trilogy

BY

D. Henderson

Life Changing Books

Published by Life Changing Books

P.O. Box 423

Brandywine, MD 20613

This novel is a work of fiction. Any references to real people, events, establishments, or locales are intended only to give the fiction a sense of reality and authenticity. Other names, characters, and incidents occurring in the work are either the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously, as are those fictionalized events and incidents that involve real persons. Any character that happens to share the name of a person who is an acquaintance of the author, past or present, is purely coincidental and is in no way intended to be an actual account involving that person.

Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data;

www.lifechangingbooks.net

13 Digit: 9781943174126

Copyright © 2015

All rights reserved, including the right to reproduce this book or portions thereof in any form whatsoever.

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Dedication

First and foremost, I must pay homage to my Lord and Savior, The  Almighty,  One and Only, The All Knowing, Purest of the Pure, King of Kings, GOD. Had it not been for his Love, Forgiveness and Mercy I would have Perished many years ago. I would also like to salute the most important person in my life, an Angel on Earth, my Rock, the One person I could count on, in spite of my flaws, imperfections has never forsaken me. Mere words cannot truly express my love for this woman. If I had to Die today for Her to see another day  I would go gracefully. I love you, Mama.

Writing has always been a passion of mine; in my darkest times I've used writing as a mechanism to escape the madness that surrounded me. After serving 15 years for Bank Robbery, and vowing I would never  return to captivity, I realized the first thing I had to change was the way I thought. Regardless how hard life became, committing a crime was no longer an option. Unable to find gainful employment upon my release, I found myself working at Labor Ready for $7.25 an hour. Frustrated and discouraged, feet to concrete, I pressed forward, relying on the inspirational words from the Steve Harvey's Morning Show to humble me and get me through the day; and for that I’d like to thank the Man of the Year, Mr. Steve Harvey. Keep doing what you're doing. 

D. Henderson

@d.henderson3488

With This Ring

Chapter 1

The sound of heavy rain bouncing off the bedroom window played like a musical drum inside my mind. I opened my eyes slowly and adjusted them to the lovely figure standing before the mirror. Barefoot, naked, and a little over five months pregnant Nicole never looked more beautiful as she did at that very moment. I paused for a moment to savor her beauty, half black, half Japanese she was a sight to behold.

Why are you looking at me like that? she asked, blushing by my apparent affection.

Because you’re so beautiful, I answered. Rising from the bed I came up behind her, and took her inside my arms. How are you feeling? I asked and gently caressed her stomach.

I feel fine. She softly answered and surrendered to my warm embrace. The softness of her body instantly reminded me of everything that was pure and righteous in my life. After nearly a year of courtship I could no longer ignore this strong sensation stirring inside my chest. A smile here, a laugh there was all it took to ignite the most intense feelings I ever felt. It was a joy so profound, so complete, for the first time in my life I understood the true definition of love.

Close your eyes. I whispered.

Why? she asked.

I got a surprise for you.

You do! What is it? She asked growing more excited by the second.

If I tell you it won’t be a surprise. Now close your eyes before I change my mind.

I swirled her around and slid out of the room. A few seconds later I reappeared with a two carat diamond ring. It was most definitely the biggest and most beautiful diamond I had ever laid eyes on.

You can open your eyes now. I said and studied her reaction. From the moment I laid eyes on her I knew she was the one. Nicole was a beautiful, highly intelligent young woman with a heart of gold and a billion dollar smile. I kissed her on the lips and studied her closely as she opened her eyes and was immediately drawn to the huge sparkling diamond. It was a magical moment, one I would remember for the rest of my life.

Miss Nicole Marie Winters, will you marry me? I asked and took one knee.

Marry you, she repeated with a glow that seemed to light up the entire room. Yes I’ll marry you Mr. Floyd Eugene Anderson. I took her hand and felt a slight tremble run through her fingers. I held my breath and slowly placed the ring on her finger praying it fit.

Baby it’s so beautiful, where did you get it? It must have cost a fortune.

You like it? I asked and stared into her beautiful hazel eyes.

Like it, I love it. It’s so beautiful. Stunned by the size and beauty of her ring Nicole stood there and studied every small detail with growing affection. Suddenly I felt a deep sense of guilt. For a brief moment I wondered how she would feel if she knew I acquired the ring during a home invasion where I damn near pistol whipped a man to death and manhandled his wife to gain access to his safe.

At the naive age of eighteen Nicole had lived a quiet, sheltered life in the suburbs of Temecula, a secluded area on the outskirts of San Diego. Innocent to the ways of street life, little did she know she had fallen in love with a stone cold gangster that made a living packing a pistol and robbing people.

Baby, can we invite my parents to dinner? I want my mother to be the first to receive the news. I know she’s going to be so happy.

What about dear old dad? I said already knowing the answer.

He will come around, you’ll see. He loves me, and he knows how much I love you. Once the baby is born I promise he’ll start looking at you differently.

You know if it wasn’t for you I wouldn’t give a damn. But I know how much you love and care about him. And to be honest I can’t fault a man for wanting the best for his daughter, even if he thinks that best is not me. If that’s what you want, that’s what you got. Today is your day; your wish is my every command.

I didn't dislike her father, to the contrary I understood exactly where he was coming from. His main concern was how could a young man with no job afford a 2- bedroom condo in one of San Diego's most exclusive downtown high rise? 

You said today, do you mean the entire day, like from right now until tomorrow?

That’s exactly what I mean. I’m yours for the rest of the day. No sooner than the words left my lips the phone rang.

Hello! I whispered into the receiver wondering who could be calling this early in the morning.

Pretty Boy, The familiar voice of Lil Bull came over the line.

What’s up Cuz? I asked, somewhat startled to find Lil Bull up so early. Cuz most definitely was not a morning person.

Doc called an emergency meeting. He said in a tone that suggested something serious was in the midst.

When and where? I asked wondering what was so important.

At the shop as soon as you can get here!

"I’m on my way. I hung up the phone and turned towards Nicole who was standing quietly behind me. I reached for her hand and she pulled away. As much as I wanted to comfort her I couldn’t. When Doc called you had to go, there was no ifs, ands or buts about it.                                 

Nicole was sitting on the balcony with her eyes fixated on her ring. I didn’t want to disturb her, nor did I want to leave things the way they were. In the crime game it was considered bad luck to argue with your girl before going on a mission. With Doc there was no telling what he wanted, and the only thing certain, whatever it was it was illegal.

Come here Baby and give me a kiss before I leave. I said in a desperate attempt to break the ice.

No, you come here. She said, determined not to give an inch.

I looked at my watch and realized I was running late. My immediate thought was to keep moving. Regardless how much I loved Nicole, Eastside Rollin 40’s Crips came first in my life. Everything started and stop with the homies. If she ever put me in a position to choose she’d lose.

You know I love you baby. I love you more than the air I breathe. But you’ve been with me long enough to know when duty calls I got to go. Baby every move I make, I make with you and our baby in mind. I leaned over and kissed her on the side of her face.

As I turned to walk away she grabbed my hand. I stopped, looked into her eyes and felt the weight of the world lift from my shoulders. It was at that moment I realized things had to change. As my future wife and the mother of my unborn child, it was time I started putting her wants and needs before all others.

Doc was a small man, barely five feet four inches tall, weighing a hundred and forty pounds soaking wet. But it wasn’t his height or weight that caught your immediate attention, it was the huge coke bottle glasses that did. At first glance one would assume they were dealing with a straight nerd, when in actuality they were dealing with one of the shrewdest gangsters that ever played the game.

As Doc would say; Success in the Underworld was dependent on perception in the Real World. It wasn’t what you did, but how you did it. In these times the problem with most players, they wanted to be recognized for the wrong shit. The gangster with the biggest score, the dope dealer with the biggest sack, the pimp with the most hoes, the gang banger with the most bodies. He on the other hand wanted to be recognized as a legitimate business man. Like EF Hudson, when Doc spoke you paid attention, and 99 percent of the time you walked away with valuable knowledge.

As a first generation of Mexican Americans, Doc enjoyed all the benefits of being a U.S citizen, while maintaining strong family ties in Mexico. Unlike most Mexicans, Doc dealt with blacks. On the surface blacks appeared to be the only race he dealt with, but being in his inner circle I had firsthand knowledge of the moves he was making, and who he was making them with.

Doc had his hand in everything and everybody. The primary supplier of weapons and drugs in the Southeast, Doc had a strong connection in every hood. Just as quick as he flipped it, he turned it into something legit with a hood twist, legal money with no taxes.

I was getting the game from a top notch player with a gangster’s hand. Doc was a teacher of the game, a master trap setter; such was the case with his bootlegged detail shop that catered to the biggest pimps, players and hustlers in the city. Little did they know while their cars were getting the deluxe treatment, Doc was duplicating their keys, and retrieving their residential information off registration cards, insurance policies, bills, and any other paper work that contain vital information.

I pulled up at the rear of the shop and entered through the back door. Belinda was at the cashier counter busy as ever. No sooner than the door closed behind me she turned to see who came in. Sharper than a Homicide Detective not much escaped her beautiful cat eyes. Belinda was a stone cold beauty, caramel complexion with a body straight off the sandy beaches of Venezuela. Doc met her when she was sixteen, married her at eighteen, she was now twenty-seven. Overly friendly with an infectious personality, players and square Johns arrived daily and showered her with gifts and conversation. Doc encouraged the advancements from the average Joe, but took special offense when one of his associates or understudies tried to get at his wife behind his back. To Doc that was considered disrespect and an act punishable by death.

Doc and Lil Bull were sharing a laugh when I entered the room. Doc was a hard man to read, even under the most extreme circumstances his demeanor never changed. One of his strongest suits was his ability to conceal his motives. The same mannerism he displayed when planning a party, he displayed when planning a robbery or a murder.

Pretty Boy, one thing I like about you, you be on top of your business. A young man, eighteen years old and living the family life. That’s the first sign of future success. A family keeps a man grounded and out of traffic. The more you got to lose, the more cautious you become. Get you something to eat and grab a seat. He said and waved towards a platter of fresh fruits and Danish pastries. I took a seat and shot a glance at Lil Bull who appeared laid back. Best friends since the seventh grade I could detect trouble by a mere glance.

Never one to beat around the bush Doc got right to the point. We got a situation. On the last heist you took a ring and I need it back. He said to no one in particular.

I got the ring Doc. I said without delay.

I would have guessed Lil Bull, can’t be right every time. He said and turned his attention towards me. Pretty Boy you disappointed me, you know better. When you take a job on consignment, you take what’s instructed. The woman you manhandled was my wife’s cousin, and she wants it back

I can go get it right now. I said in a hope of bringing this awkward situation to an end.

No! That won’t be necessary. I need you to give it to her personally and apologize. Y’all can meet her at this address at 11 pm tonight. He said and handed me a piece of paper.

I accepted the paper and stuck it in my pocket. I couldn’t afford to display any emotions. The situation had deteriorated rapidly. I could feel Doc’s eyes scrutinizing my every move, searching for the slightest clue that would give him a better reading on my thinking. Taught by the best I kept my emotions in check.

I got a dentist appointment at ten-thirty; make sure you lock the door before you leave. Doc rose from his seat shook Lil Bull’s hand and patted him on the arm.

Pretty Boy, Pretty Boy, he repeated and shook his head slightly. You know if you were anybody else I would kill you. Not knowing how to respond I remained silent and met his stare. After a brief silence, Doc reached out and gave me a hug, which I found odd. Doc wasn’t the type of man that displayed affection. In the six years I’ve known him I could count on one hand how many times I had seen him laugh.

No sooner than Doc left the room I removed the paper from my pocket. I read the address and handed it to Lil Bull. Doc wanted us to take the ring to an address in Tijuana, an area we had frequented before, but under different circumstances. The writing was on the wall, and it was evident Doc had every intentions on killing us. Doc was emotionless, incapable of forgiveness, and would kill you quicker than a stranger on the streets. I fucked up, not only did I put my life in jeopardy; I also risked the life of my road-dog. Doc knew he couldn’t kill me and let Lil Bull live. Just like he knew he couldn’t kill Lil Bull and let me live.

Damn Cuz what are we going to do? Lil Bull asked as he contemplated our present situation.

Cuz it’s only one thing we could do, we got to kill Doc before he kills us.

That’s more easily said then done. Cuz we don’t even know where Doc lives.

We don’t, but Salt-Rock do. I said as my mind instantly focused on the best way to retrieve this information from Cuz.

You think Cuz will tell us?

Nah I think we got to trick Cuz out for the information. I had much love and respect for Salt-Rock, but I been in the game long enough to know a man’s loyalty lies with the motherfuckers that paid him. Salt-Rock was Doc’s main man; he would be a fool to cross him. We can’t ask him, we got to trick him into showing us. Call Cuz and tell him we got three bitches lined up tonight, and we’ll be over there around nine to pick him up. In the meantime we need to snatch a car.

Lil Bull and I went way back, not only was he my homie, he was also my best friend, and the closest thing I had to a family within twenty-five miles. Although similar in many ways we were opposite as night and day. Where he was short and of a lighter complexion, I was tall and dark complected. Where he was loud and aggressive I was quiet and laid back. Where he loved to be the center of attention, I liked to lay in the cut, the one you didn’t see until it was too late. Friends since the 5th grade, I trusted Lil Bull with my life, and I loved him like a brother. It was because of this love our friendship preceded everything, even our alliance to Doc and the Eastside Rollin 40’s Crip Gang. Everyone that knew us; knew if you had a problem with one, you had a problem with the other. That’s how we were coming, in two’s, with force more deadly than the average gangster could withstand. But Doc wasn’t your average gangster. Everything we knew about the game he taught us; but the one thing he didn’t know, unlike everyone else we didn’t fear him. He was a man like us, bled like us, and could die like us.

Killing Doc was more easily said than done. Although my eyes or mannerism didn't reflect, for the first time in my life I was worried. I’d been in the game long enough to realize the consequences that came with failure. We needed time to figure this out, and time was something we most definitely didn't have.

I couldn’t remember the last time I spent a quiet afternoon at home. To my surprise it had a soothing effect. It provided the time I so desperately needed to figure this shit out. Unlike the majority of my homies I had a safe haven I could retreat to when the pressure associated with a life of crime became to intense to bear. And right now was one of those occasions. In preparation for war Doc taught us to first; make a fair assessment of your enemy’s strengths, and second search for his weakness. I held no illusion; Doc was by far the most powerful man I knew in the crime game. Throughout the years he had recruited a network of street killers from almost every Hood.

Even with the whole Hood riding behind us, we were still no match for him; he absolutely had too many resources. His only weakness was his arrogance, his belief that he was too powerful to get faded. It was this belief, along with the element of surprise that I felt confident in our ability to end his life.

At the age of eighteen, in the eyes of society I was considered a career criminal. A three-time graduate of the California Youth Authority and a ward of the courts since the age of ten, I had been in the midst of gangster shit since I learned the difference between a twenty and a hundred. Growing up in a system where survival was dependent on wit and courage, I learned early in life that the winner of most conflicts was determined by who struck first, and a man’s courage was measured not behind the gun but in front of it. A stone cold coward could pull the trigger, but only a true gangster could face death without fear.

Nicole was sound asleep, resting peacefully, with a smile on her face that glowed brighter than the ring on her finger.  After gathering my clothes I placed a light kiss on her lips and tiptoed out of the room. Lately she had become extremely emotional every time I had to leave, especially at night. The last thing I needed was to open a floodgate of tears and not be able to stick around and console her.

Lil Bull was waiting in the cab when I arrived downstairs. I noticed the look in the cab driver’s eyes when I got in the backseat, Meadowbrook’s apartment complex. I said and handed him a twenty dollar bill to erase any concerns he may have had. The money seemed to instantly relax him. He thanked me, changed the radio station to an R&B station and fell back in his seat.

You guys from San Diego? He asked in a meager attempt to strike up small conversation.

Check game player, we’re not in the mood to chit chat. I said and made eye contact with him through the rear view mirror. He got the message.

The Meadowbrook’s apartment complex was located in Skyline, the territory of the Eastside Piru gang, our archenemy. I knew from past experience it was a tricky situation being dropped off behind enemy lines. There was a magnitude of things that could