The Syndicate by Brick Page B

the leader. Nobody else would have been wise enough to study these people like you did before you even decided to step into this game,” Uncle Snap praised Javon.
    Javon stood. “Yeah. I’m going to go take a shower. We got work to do.” He looked as if he had aged ten years in less than three hours.
    I could tell the pressure on him was almost unbearable. I decided against bringing my feelings to Javon. He had enough on his shoulders. I knew he didn’t need to add my hurt feelings to the mixture. So I kept it to myself. This was bigger than me and my feelings.
    * * *
    Over the next few days shit was hectic. We had all pretty much been staying at Mama’s house. Every night at six, Javon expected everyone to be home and gathered in the front room or around the dinner table so we could talk. It was a Thursday, three days after Javon had gone back to sit with the Syndicate. He had only taken Uncle Snap and, when he came home, he was hush mouth about what had gone on in the meeting.
    â€œCory, I need you to look up some shit called the Foreign Narcotics Kingpin Designation Act, also known as the Kingpin Act. See what that shit entails so you can be prepared just in case some shit goes down. Also, the RICO act and all that shit. See if you can get more hours at that law office you’re interning at and, also, it would be a good idea to see if you can get an internship at the district attorney’s office, feel me?” Javon asked him.
    Cory nodded as he tore into his steak.
    â€œMelissa, you and Inez finished going to all the banks yet?” he asked my sisters.
    They both nodded eagerly. Melissa said, “Von, there is so much money, big bro. My pussy is wet just thinking about it.”
    Uncle Snap choked on his coffee. Jojo’s eyes widened. Cory frowned. Naveen and Monty chuckled, but never stopped eating while Inez cackled. I shook my head. Melissa had a sex problem. She was addicted to it. Most people would call her a whore, but we didn’t. Mama taught us better than that.
    â€œI mean just from the safe deposit boxes alone, we’re set for life. Our kids’ kids’ kids are set. Not to mention we’re splitting Mama’s insurance policy, which gives us all a little over sixty-two thousand dollars each. We got this house and the equity in it. Mama’s jewelry. Shit, the businesses. So much money coming from everywhere, big bro. It’s almost maddening,” she said.
    â€œHow much of the money in the bank is clean money?”
    â€œAs far as I can tell, all of it.”
    â€œClaudette was good at keeping clean money clean and dirty money dirty. You don’t last in the game over thirty years by making mistakes like mixing money,” Uncle Snap said.
    Javon nodded. “Inez, keep working with Melissa, but also remember what we talked about. Monty, focus on your fight coming up. That’s all I want from you for now. Naveen, once dinner is over, show me the ins and outs of the secret trap doors in this house. We have to get these drugs out of here.”
    â€œSpeaking of which, there is a shipment supposed to be coming in at midnight at Dekalb-Peachtree Airport tonight. You need to be there. Also you need to meet the supplier who will be there in the morning,” Uncle Snap told Javon.
    â€œOkay,” he answered.
    â€œAnd have you decided who’s going to take Cormac’s seat yet?”
    â€œI have. I want to reach out to Lucky in New York. Mama spoke fondly of him in her notes. I want to meet him.”
    â€œGood call,” Uncle Snap said.
    I watched as Javon gave orders. He sat at the head of the table like he had been born to be a leader. The dress shirt and dress slacks he had on were in vast contrast to the baggy shirt and jeans I’d met him in. Javon asked everyone to leave the table but me and Uncle. I ate quietly while Uncle Snap told Javon to pay attention to how things would change around him now. He wanted to