Hood Ornaments

“We have to get to Leek’s and find Tori now!!!”

“Y’all stay here, I’ll get the truck, Sticks said as he ran full gait to the parking garage.

Tony was now frowning.

“Is somebody gonna tell me what the fuck is goin on?”

With that Dell handed Tony his cell phone.

After a few minutes of Tony listening to Malik’s account of the events, Tony squatted in front of the bench and threw up just as Sticks was pulling up with the truck.

They all piled in.

The ride over to Malik’s was tense.

Sticks gave a quick lesson to Tony about privileged information, need to know basis and code. Basically in a nutshell told Tony if he looked as though he was gonna tell somebody something, his future was in jeopardy. Sticks attention turned back to Dell whose expression was that of focused anger.

“Is Stacey and Dennis at the crib?” He asked Dell who shook his head.

“Nah, they decided to stay gone an extra day.”

Sticks nodded and circled the block.

“You know Leek’s people?” Tony asked with a tone of surprise.

Sticks then parked, got out of the truck and walked to Malik’s back door.

Dell answered for his uncle, “He doesn’t say much, but there isn’t much that Sticks doesn’t know. But go on and follow him before he gets angrier than he already is”.

The trio entered Malik’s house and went down the basement steps. As they reached the bottom Sticks lunged at Malik and pinned him up against the wall.

“How the fuck did she manage to leave in her condition?!”

He yelled inches from Malik’s face. Malik’s expression didn’t change, but he also didn’t answer him. Sticks let him go and the four of them found random places to sit to discuss what was going to take place. Sticks had already called Man and other reinforcements to start searching the neighborhood for Platypus, Pop-Pop, Will, Bill or any kin to them, and to bring them to the loft once found. He also demanded that he get a text every half hour with updates, because the city wasn’t that large and it shouldn’t take that long to find them. Then Sticks spoke slow and deliberate to them. Explaining how once the bastards got to the loft they were all going to overdose and go swimming. He explained in meticulous detail that their fingers would have to be removed in case they were fingerprinted before. That the body bags would have to be heavily weighted so they wouldn’t float.

Sticks then explained only him Mann, Tony and Malik were going to handle the situation. And even after his numerous protests, Sticks said that Dell was not to have any parts in this. Six texts later, still nothing.

Where the fuck did these bammas go?

Why were the streets so empty?

No one saw these motherfuckers?

Dell tried to protest one last time, “Unc, I’m sayin. I just can’t…”

Sticks pointed at his nephew, “Your only job is to find Tori and take her back to her grandmother once this is all taken care of.”

The voice was so small if it wasn’t for the fact that it echoed no one would have heard it.

“It’s already taken care of.” Tori said with the gun still in her hand shocking all four grown ass men semi speechless for the longest minute of their lives.

Sticks was the first one to approach her as he gently took the gun from her hand and grabbed a towel from off of Malik’s bed and wiped the gun down before wrapping it up and handing to Malik.

“They wouldn’t give me my ring back, Leek. They said they didn’t have it no more.” Tori explained through sobs.

With his other arm Sticks guided her over to the futon and sat her down. He took a long look at her and sighed in disbelief. She was the perfect blend of Dee and Andre. But he didn’t have time to reminisce now. He had to find out what Tori did.

“Where are they baby?” Sticks asked her gently wiping the tears from her face. Her eyes were wide, unfocused. Her bottom lip trembling. He then began to rub her hand.

“Tell Uncle Sticks where they are.”

“I followed them. They all went inside a house.”

Tori continued to speak in an almost childlike tone. “There was no furniture except for in the kitchen. They laughed at me when I asked for my Daddy’s ring. So I shot them all. They are all dead. I’m sorry.”

“No Tori, you did good. I’ll take care of it for you. I’ll find your father’s ring. But was there a number on the house baby?”

Tori nodded, “Thirty five.”

Sticks looked at Dell, “Take her upstairs now. She is in shock. Get some food in her. Hold her talk to her, take care of her. Leek, get the piece and you and Tone come with me.”

With that they left and got back into the truck. Sticks called Man immediately,

“It’s me. Change of plans. Meet me at Tulip Street and bring everything we need.”