Chapter 70
It was noon and T-money was sitting in his upstairs office in deep thought staring at his picture of the sea. Going in his desk drawer, he pulled out a black book. It contained every person he ever helped and that desperately wanted to help him in return.
He opened it and began flipping through when Janell came in and dropped a stack of papers on his desk.
“Scheyenne Henrietta Iverson; born June twenty-first 1985 to Lee Sharon Wells and Johnathan Freemen Iverson. Older brother Freemen Johnny Iverson, little brother Pier Thomas Iverson. Father murdered in ’88, Grandma May Ann Wells, mother and little brother killed in a mysterious fire in ’98. Older brother M.I.A. since ’98.
“Was only at Menlo Atherton a few months and then stopped attending in her junior year. No record of a diploma on file. Last known residence was with a family friend, Carlos Lopez, ex-mayor of East Palo Alto, but you already knew this,” Janell said.
“Thanks,” T-money said taking in what he just heard.
He knew Shi was staying with King and his grandma.
Why? He didn’t know, but whatever the reason he had a feeling she’d run away.
“Check to see if she’s been reported missing and get back with me. I have a few calls I need to make.” T-money picked up the phone and called the Metro Store in Redwood City as Janell stared at him and then left without a word. “Yeah, let me talk to Mark, tell him it’s T-money.”
He was placed on hold.
Mark was the manager of Metro. He’d sold drugs for T-money, and when he expressed a liking for school T-money sent him. Mark now had an AA in management.
“Money man,” Mark’s voice came on.
“Mark, how you been?”
“Good, I’ll be graduating next year.”
“Good,” T-money smiled. Then getting to business he said, “I need a favor.”
“Anything.”
“I need to know if Scheyenne Iverson has an account and I need the number.” T-money spelled the name for him.
“Nope… she could have used a nickname.”
“Try Shi,” T-money said.
“S-H-I Iverson?” Mark spelled the first name out.
“Yeah,” T-money answered feeling anxious.
“Who’s this, Allen Iverson’s sister?”
T-money laughed, “Naw, if it was I would have just called him.”
“You got his number? Really? Shoot it.”
T-money chuckled, “You find her and I will.”
“Nope, no Shi Iverson.”
“Damn,” T-money sighed.
He guessed he’d try King. He had to have an account.
“You sure she used a last name?”
“Huh?”
“In the account.”
“She doesn’t have to?”
“Nope, it’s metro, no contracts. We don’t care if you chose Donald Duck as long as you pay us.”
“Try Shi.”
There was silence which T-money felt every bit of in his stomach.
“650-289-1604.”
T-money smiled as he scribbled the number down, “Thank you.”
He hung up and dialed the number. His heart was pounding as it rang. He thought no one would answer. He’d never waited passed two rings for anyone.
“Hello,” the voice said.
“Shi,” T-money smiled.
“Who’s this?” she asked, and T-money could hear panic.
“T-money, we met at my barbeque.”
“I remember. How’d you get my number? I don’t remember leaving it…”
T-money laughed, “A man like me has ways.”
“Oh…”
He knew it sounded creepy; he was nervous.
“Okay, what’s up T-money?”
“I told you, you didn’t have to lie to me.”
“What?”
“How old are you Shi?”
She was silent for a long time, and he knew she was thinking of an answer or hung up. She was smart; he knew she’d choose the truth.
“Sixteen,” she finally said, and he smiled.
Good girl.
“Like I said, I don’t care about that, I’m not the cops.”
“Okay, so then why’s it matter?”
“Principal.”
“Okay, you called me because you wanted to hear me tell you my real age?”
“No, not really,” T-money said knowing he would not and could not tell her the real reason he was calling. “I was impressed with you and just wanted to know if you wanted to make a lot of money really fast?”
There was a pause and then she said, “All money ain’t good money.”
“It’s all good when it comes from me.”
There was more silence.
“Whachu got in mind?”
“I’ve got big plans for you, Shi, you’re just what I’ve been looking for. Now hear me out.”
“I’m listening,” she said.
“Two more questions and a promise.”
“‘kay.”
“Can you be trusted and honest?”
“Uh huh.”
“Promise me from this moment on that if I’m real with you you’ll keep it real with me,” T-money’s heart was racing.
“Deal.”
He sighed smiling as his heart rate and blood pressure started coming back down.
“Now that that’s out the way, Shi, I have a proposition for you.”