Chapter 10

The front portion of the first floor of the funeral parlor consisted of two viewing rooms on the left and a large chapel on the right. Though there were sometimes as many as four services daily, there were none scheduled on this day. The recorded organ music silenced, the lighting dimmed. The mood in the offices and break room in the rear was uncharacteristically gay. The Venetian blinds, normally closed, were fully opened and every light in that part of the building was shining brightly. Easy could hardly contain himself as he strutted from his office to that of his brother and throughout the break area. “Boy, oh boy, oh boy! Fun time y'all, like it used to be when Daddy was here and Huey was runnin' things,”Easy said, almost shouting, while rubbing his hands together and smiling at his brother." "Easy, I think you're losin' it, boy. It hasn't been that long since we've done a caper. But I know what you're sayin'. In those days there was a lot more down and dirty. Had to be. Which one you want?" "What are you talkin' about?" "Which one you want, "the Rev" or the media?" "Hell, bro. You know what I want. Dirty's mine, finaglin's yours." He was jiving as he moved across the room.

"Who you gonna call in Detroit?" "Willie Rayborn, if I can find him. He'll know everthing we need to know and has enough sense to keep his mouth shut." "I figured you'd mention him. I have his number in my office. Ran into that good lookin' sister of his last week. She gave it to me." "Say what?" Easy shouted. "The number, Easy. She gave me the number." "Oh, you know I thought...." "Yeah, I know exactly what you thought. I'm going to my office and start a list of all the heavy hitters who have a financial interest in the press or TV. When I get through, I want you to help me cut it down to the smallest number possible to make sure I haven't forgotten something. Can you catch the calls until I get through?"

"Sure. I'm thinking about calling the boys to arrange for them to pack the hall Friday. Since this guy doesn't have that much local backing yet, don't you think having someone in every seat an hour before time would be early enough?" "Sounds plenty early to me, Easy." The two brothers put their heads together often throughout the afternoon sharing the excitement of breaking events. R. T.'s list had been reduced to four persons who, without exception displayed no reluctance to meet at the funeral home that evening, even though the purpose of the meeting was not shared. The brothers were unconcerned about walking on such soft ground. They had taken similar steps with these same players. Local coverage of Righteous would be muted and he would have little access. After all, there was a clear danger of loss of control in the community which could result in the player's loss of control as well. The required rationalization would be a small step in a venture long ago begun. Easy had success as well. His intelligence reports had been very helpful. He learned that Righteous indeed had an active church congregation in Detroit, but he had turned over all ministerial duties to an associate several years before. Righteous spoke to the congregation only on very irregular occasions. His focus was now directed to a nationwide radio broadcast, initiating youth and community programs, securing federal funding grants, then turning over operations of the projects to subordinates. He was the titular head of the church and each of the projects, but, aside from the radio show, he was actively involved in none. Easy also learned that Righteous was crafty in confrontations, particularly when he had an audience to perform before. He was very adept at flying by the seat of his pants and, as a result, did not plan his statements in advance. His associates were more hangers on than trained bodyguards or security advisors. He tended to bully them. Righteous had a fondness for women of all ages and descriptions and he changed partners often. His preferred cocktail was scotch and milk, and his tolerance was legendary. Easy figured this was attributable to both his heavy frame and appetite. He arranged for an associate to sponsor a reception for Righteous on Thursday afternoon. Attendees would be few, eats would be light, but there would be a continuously flowing champagne fountain. All this would be fully paid for by the funeral home in reality, but not in name. Easy was confronted by two principal problems. Putting Clarise in charge of the caterers would ensure her contact with Righteous. Once she had his direct attention, Clarice would get him to her apartment. No problem there. But Easy had been unable to locate Clarice. The main question was whether or not the taping of a sexual encounter would be humiliating enough to someone like Righteous that threatened exposure would muzzle him. No question the talented Clarice, armed with champagne and an adventurous partner, could be counted on to provide a full array of debasement, but Righteous would probably be difficult to embarrass. Easy decided to pull out all the stops. Why take chances after all. The encounter would be filmed from two vantage points to assure the best angles. Easy figured that after sex and in a chilly room, the phallus of a man with such a large girth would seem small. Clarice would be instructed to have him move around the room and display himself in humiliating positions. She was to make jokes on the tape about his minuscule member. Easy grinned as he thought to himself, but the cut the grass will be left to "Sweetmeat" Matthews. In the aftermath of her performance, Clarice would put Righteous under with alcohol or drugs, if necessary. "Sweetmeat" and the photographers could stage the rest. Even Righteous wouldn't buck that. The brothers did not discuss the particulars of their plans with one another. It was a point of pride and each knew the other would handle his assignment. Neither felt squeamish or reluctant in his planning. Each was aware that his actions would be considered outrageous should they be exposed, but there was little chance of that. It was just politics, after all! At their final coffee break of the day the brothers moods were still elevated. Easy reached to hold his cup with both hands. He looked up to his brother and said: "It's been some afternoon hasn't it. I'd forgotten the feeling of the rush." "Yeah, it's been a long time. You ready?" "I've got a couple of loose ends, but I'll take care of them tonight. I'll need to install some two way mirrors in the morning, but that won't be a stretch. I'll make it. You know ole' Easy, when it comes to down and dirty, I can handle it." He shook his head in a funny way as he was pranced across the floor.

"I don't know, Easy," his brother said shaking his head with exaggeration. "Whenever I think of down and dirty, I'm reminded of all the problems Daddy and I had gettin' you out of trouble over Alberta Cole." Easy stopped in mid-stride and, with a grin on his face, raised his eyes to his brother. "You always gotta bring up Alberta, I was young an' reckless then." His wife, Lois, entered the doorway and said, "What's that about Alberta?" Without missing a beat, Easy turned to his wife and answered, "Hi, Baby, we was talkin' about that ole Alberta theater we used to go to when we was shoats. You remember that place. Shoot, I reckon. You and me had some times there ourselves." He put his arm around her waist and began escorting her to his office so that he could close the door on his brother. He didn't want Lois to hear R.T convulsing in laughter. "Well, as long as you weren't talking about that ole Alberta Cole," she said without a change of expression.