After three short rings, Antoine answered Kareem’s cell phone. Roxanne was sprawled across his chest and he pushed her off him. He slowly walked to the bathroom before he said, “Hello.”
“Did I wake you?” Kareem asked and smiled. He reached for the soda container and grabbed Toi’s soda. “Well, I was calling just to be sure that you’re on board that flight Tuesday. It’s imperative that you are.”
“Man, I don’t know. Where’s my money? Waiting for you in Tampa along with your job.”
“I don’t have a fucking job!”
“Whoa. Don’t talk to me in that tone. I am not here to bother you. I am here to help you prosper and you don’t have to run from the law and kidnap innocent people with this line of work.”
“Come on, man. All crime has the possibility of arrest. I’m sure you know about that?”
“What’s that supposed to mean?” Kareem asked as he paid for the soda.
“I watch the news, Kareem Bezel. Nice to meet you. I have actually followed your story in the news for some time. Even rooted for you to get away.”
Kareem was knocked off guard for a very quick nanosecond. That revelation was not unlike any other roadblock he had encountered. He shuffled for a second, but never let on that he was confused. He always responded before the other party observed his discomfort. He said, “Well, I forewarned you that I was a criminal and had just as much to lose as you. So now that you know, you’re on board to get this money?”
“Yeah, but under my terms. The stakes have been raised now.”
“Oh really?” Kareem asked and dipped back in the mini mart and looked at the chips on the far aisle. He was suddenly intrigued by the conversation with Antoine and ready to give it a go.
“You’re just an ordinary thug like me.”
“I told you that. Only difference, my range and reach is much greater than yours. Which is why I need you on my team. I have a few situations that need to be handled.”
“Are you a magician?” Kareem asked and raised an eyebrow. He was not going to expose much on the phone, but he planned to give the clown on the other end of the line a heads up as to what he would be doing.
“For a price.”
“Money ain’t a thing.”
“Good. I’ll be in Tampa!”
“You better be, ‘cause I have plans to deal with you accordingly, if you’re not. And trust me, the fact that you know my name means nothing! You’ll get to ask some of the other people swimming in the Hudson River about knowing my name if you play with me, sir, by thinking you have one up on me because you know my damn name.” His voice was deeper than norman and grave. He was firm in the belief that it wasn’t what you said, but how you said it. “Learn my name. And learn it well. Kareem Jamel Bezel. It rings bells.”