36

The Kid had help with getting his wheelchair out the yellow cab, and he had help into the cemetery where his brother was buried.

“I got it from here,” he told the driver. “Give me ten minutes.”

The driver nodded and walked back to his cab parked on 155th Street. It was dawn, with the sun bright in the sky and the temperature soon to reach ninety degrees. It felt like the perfect time for a visit.

Clutching some flowers, Kid wheeled himself toward his brother’s grave. He hadn’t been to it since the funeral, and he felt self-centered for taking this long to visit Kip. He reached the grave and placed the flowers against the stone. He released a deep sigh and stared at the writing on the granite. He managed to smile, and then he frowned.

“I know I haven’t been around to visit you lately, but I felt that I couldn’t come around until I corrected things—until I avenged your death, Kip. I miss you so much.”

He sat silent for a moment, overwhelmed with grief and nostalgia. Being there was taking a lot out of him, but Kid felt he needed to be strong. He had come a long way. He looked around the area, making sure that he was completely alone. He was. So he slowly removed himself from the wheelchair and stood over his brother’s gave. He lowered himself down on his knees and dropped his head as if he was about to pray.

He released a heavy sigh. “I destroyed that muthafucka for you, Kip. I got him good. I made him pay for what he did to you. He took you from me, so I took his parents from him, and I took his money. I outmaneuvered Maserati Meek, Kip. You should have seen me. I know you would have been proud of me.”

Kid’s knees pressed into the grass. He placed his hands against the tombstone and traced his brother’s name carved into the granite with his fingertips. He was silent for a moment.

“I have a confession, Kip. I’ve been able to walk for more than five years. I know you wanted to see me walk when you were alive and I kept that from you. I don’t know why, but it tears me up to know that you died thinking I was still a cripple when you tried your best to get me the best physical therapy money could buy. And me being foolish, I kept it a secret from you to keep you close to me. It haunts me that I did that to you. I’m sorry about that, Kip. I truly am. And I’m going to have to live with it for the rest of my life.”

Kid released a few tears and let them trickle down his face.

“I just came by to say goodbye, big bro. I’m leaving the city. I don’t know for how long, but I know it’s time to go. But no matter where I’m at, I’m gonna always keep you close and you will never be forgotten. Oh, and I met someone too. You should see her, Kip. She’s beautiful and smart. And guess what? She beat me at chess, Kip. Can you believe that? I actually lost, and I lost to a girl. But you know what? She was definitely worth losing to.”

The Kid kissed his brother’s grave and stood back up. He planted his butt back into the wheelchair, took one memorable look at the site, exhaled, and started to leave. He had a plane to catch soon and a new life to live, away from Harlem and New York.

***

Officer Spielberg sat at the uptown bar and downed a shot of vodka. It frustrated him that the two bombings were still unsolved and they had no one in custody yet. He had worked tirelessly with the FBI, but still nothing. With Jessica dead, her being their only lead, and Eshon lost in the wind, he was greatly frustrated. But he wasn’t about to give up. He was determined to investigate this case night and day. The feds were relentless too. These certain terrorists seemed to be tricky, but Spielberg and his colleagues had the law and the manpower on their side to keep hunting. He just needed to take a step back from it all and get a closer look at things.

One good thing about the case was that he had been promoted to Detective Third Class. He was climbing the ranks in the NYPD, and from detective, he was determined to make sergeant.

He finished off his drinks and left the bar. Outside, he took in a breath of fresh air and studied his surroundings. The case never left his mind. He knew they were missing something, and he felt it was right in front of their faces. But what was it?

Meanwhile, Agent Daphne Moore and her team were moving in Maserati Meek’s operation.