When It's Over

by Roy Glenn

Genres: African American Urban; Suspense

Synopsis

Bestselling author Roy Glenn returns with When It’s Over, his latest Mike Black novel that delivers shocking urban suspense.

NYPD Detectives Kirk and Dawkins are pursuing Chet French, aka Big Frenchie, a small-time armed robber who did some time for aggravated assault. He stepped up to the big time when he robbed Mama’s Country Kitchen, one of The Family’s gambling houses, killing the houseman and four civilians in the process. When Mike Black and Bobby Ray take a personal interest and start asking questions, the bodies begin to pile up.
 
When the unthinkable happens, the entire Family is pushed to the brink of a war they didn’t want to fight. The only way to avoid blood in the street is for Kirk and Dawkins to find the people responsible before Black and Rain Robinson do.

Release date: August 20, 2024

Publisher: Urban Books

Print pages: 288

Sample

Bujumbura, Burundi

Monika Wynn ran up the stairs of a building under construction until she reached the eleventh floor. Once she reached that level, she exited the stairwell and proceeded to her spot in the front of the building, where she set up her Remington Model 700 rifle and aimed it at the office of Bamidele Renault, a captain in the Burundian rebel militia. He was in his office waiting for word from Lieutenant Abeba Omenuko about a three-vehicle convoy of arms preparing to get underway en route to members of the Popular Front for the Liberation of Burundi.

“Alpha to Omega, in position and standing by.”

“Acknowledged,” Carla responded.

Renault would be Monika’s target for the day. All he had to do was stand up.

In another part of Bujumbura, the economic capital of Burundi, three Nissan NV350 panel vans containing QBZ-95B-1 5.8-mm carbine assault rifles, a weapon designed and manufactured by Norinco in the People’s Republic of China, prepared to move out with a two-man detail assigned to each vehicle.

“Epsilon to Omega,” April said. “Subject vehicles have left the compound and are proceeding on the established route. I am in pursuit.”

“Acknowledged, Epsilon. Omega to Gamma. Status report.”

“Gamma is in position and standing by,” Travis informed. He was positioned at a red light, five miles ahead of the convoy’s current location.

“Acknowledged, Gamma. Subject vehicles will reach your position in approximately two minutes.”

“Acknowledged, Omega,” he said and looked through his binoculars. “Subject vehicles in sight.” Travis took the device from his pocket, and as the lead vehicle approached the red light, he engaged the device. The light changed to red and all three cars slowed to a stop.

“Epsilon to Gamma. I am in position.”

“Acknowledged, Epsilon,” he said and pressed the button to detonate the two cars parked on either side of the third vehicle.

As the fire burned, the first two vehicles drove away from the scene quickly. Travis pulled up on a motorcycle and shot the driver of the third vehicle before he could react. When the second man tried to exit the car, April fired and hit him with two shots to the chest.

“Go!” she shouted to Travis. “I’m right behind you!”

“Gamma to Omega, two enemy combatants down. Joining pursuit of target vehicles.”

He drove off, leaving April to secure the weapons and take care of the bodies. Once she had accomplished her task, she got in the third vehicle.

“Epsilon to Omega. Subject vehicle secure.”

“Acknowledged. Convoy is ten miles ahead of you on the established route.”

“Acknowledged. In pursuit,” April said, driving the truck with the weapons.

“Omega to Delta. Go ahead with your traffic,” Xavier responded.

“Subject vehicles approaching your location. ETA three minutes.”

“Acknowledged, Omega. In position and standing by.”

“In range in three, two, one.”

Once the lead vehicle passed his position, Xavier spread spikes across the road just before the second vehicle arrived at his position. When the car drove over the spikes, the tires burst just as Travis rolled up on the motorcycle. He fired at the passenger when he tried to exit the vehicle and hit him with two shots to the chest. The driver got out firing and got off a few shots before Xavier shot him.

“Second enemy target disabled.” He got on a motorcycle as April pulled up.

“Acknowledged, Delta.”

As Travis and Xavier sped off, April secured the second vehicle and called for the Burundi Army so they could take possession of the weapons.

“Omega to Beta.”

“Go ahead.”

“Third enemy target approaching your location.”

“Acknowledged, Omega. Beta is in position and standing by.” Nick raised the Compact EMP Launcher. “Enemy target in sight.”

“In firing range in three, two, one, fire.”

On command, Nick fired the projectile, which hit the hood of one of the Nissan NV350 panel vans as it passed, and it slowed to a stop.

“Third enemy target disabled,” Nick said as Travis and Xavier rolled up on their motorcycles. Both driver and passenger exited the vehicle with their hands raised and surrendered.

When the convoy didn’t arrive at its destination, a call was made to Lieutenant Abeba Omenuko.

“Damn it all to hell,” he shouted and banged his fist on the desk.

He was now responsible for telling Captain Renault, who didn’t take hearing bad news well. In fact, he was well known for shooting the bearer of bad news. Omenuko grabbed the bottle of rum from his desk drawer and took the bottle to his lips. After a couple of big swallows, he put the cap back on the bottle and returned it to the drawer before he left his office. He knocked lightly on Captain Renault’s door.

“Come!”

Omenuko took a deep breath and turned the doorknob. “Excuse me, Captain,” he said nervously.

“What is it?”

“The Burundi Army seized the convoy with the weapons.”

“Fuck!” Captain Renault shouted. He hit his desk with both hands and stood up.

“Got you,” Monika said and fired.

She hit Captain Renault in the head and packed up her Remington.

“Alpha to Omega, enemy combatant neutralized. Returning to base.”

“Acknowledged, Alpha. See you when you get here.”

Two BBKs (Bad Boy Killer gang) were driving on a long stretch of road when a Chevy Silverado driven by Baby Chris pulled in alongside them. He cut in front of the trailing vehicle and then blocked its path. Marvin stood up in the bed of the Silverado and opened fire on the BBKs with heavy weapons, killing both occupants as they tried to exit the vehicle.

In another part of the city, in a black cargo van, Angel and Bowie, armed with AK-47s, slammed into the driver’s side of the vehicle driven by three BBK members. When the car crashed, Angel exited the cargo van and opened fire. Bowie jumped out quickly and slid a disk under the vehicle. Then he rushed to the van, got back in, and once Angel was aboard, he sped off . . . just before the car exploded.

Axe and Press waited impatiently for their prey for the evening to come out of The Bellview Ballroom. As soon as the three men exited, they opened fire with AK-47s. One of the BBKs rushed to get behind a car for cover and opened fire on Axe and Press. Realizing they were outgunned, the BBKs’ plan turned to retreat, and they began shooting their way back to the ballroom. Axe fired and hit one in the back as he ran. Press took aim and shot another before he reached the door, and he went down. The last man was able to get off a few shots before Axe shot him in the head just before he made it inside.

In the aftermath of Ryder killing Truck, Truck’s old gang, the BBKs, some would say foolishly, declared war. Although Kojo, who Truck sold for, only responded with a strongly worded statement that future violence would not be tolerated, it was delivered by one of his men before Marvin shot him. Montel Rigby, the head of the BBKs, thought he had no choice but to go to war with Barbara Ray, who ran The Playhouse.

The Playhouse, or just “The House,” was a gambling spot called Sweet Nectar until Barbara took over. She renovated the place, expanded the dance floor, and turned it into a dance club, which attracted a younger crowd and substantially increased her gambling revenue. However, she decided to focus on expanding her legitimate businesses. Therefore, Black assigned Barbara’s captain, Jackie Washington, to take over at The Playhouse and run the war from there.

“Feel free to use whatever resources you need,” Black told Jackie the first night she took over at The Playhouse. “But I’m sure your crew can handle them without involving the rest of The Family.”

“Agreed,” Jackie had said that night.

To this point, she hadn’t gone all out against the BBKs, choosing, instead, to simply respond to their incursions with superior force and mass casualties.

“I thought that they would have lost their heart to fight by this time, but no. Montel Rigby is stubborn.”

“Maybe if you targeted him . . .”

“I have, but the muthafucka is way off the grid and doesn’t like to show his face.”

“Somebody knows where he’s hiding.”

“Amanda Lindsay would be my choice. She’s his girlfriend, but she’s as hard to find as he is.”

“Make it happen,” Black said and stood up.

“Where you off to now?”

“Sherman.”

“Tell him he owes me a grand.”

“For what?”

“He’ll know,” Jackie said.

“There’s one more thing.”

“What’s that?”

“I need you to put somebody at Barbara’s new spot.”

“The legit one?”

“Yes.”

“Why? Barbara can protect herself.”

“Michelle is working there after school.”

“Done,” Jackie said, coming from behind her desk to escort Black to the door.

“I’ll tell him. I’ll see you tomorrow,” he said and left the office. “Good night, Fiona.”

“Have a good night, Mr. Black,” she said as William stood up. “You too, William.”

He blew her a kiss and followed Black out of the office. Once they were in the car and had driven off, William asked, “Where to, Boss?”

“Roll by Sherman’s.”

“You got it,” he said and drove in that direction.

When they arrived at Sherman’s house, it was late, so Black called Sherman because he didn’t want to wake up his wife, Ester.

“What’s up, Mike?” he answered.

“Open the back door, old man.”

“Coming.”

Sherman went to open the door and then led Black back to his media room.

“Where’s Bobby tonight?” Sherman asked.

“Date night with Pam,” Black said.

Sherman laughed.

“Now that all their kids are gone, Pam wants to go out.”

“You and Shy got a date night too?”

“No. Cassandra thinks she needs to be home with her boys and ride shotgun over Michelle when she’s there. Which is less and less these days.”

“She likes the streets, just like her daddy.”

“What are you watching?” Black asked on his way to the bar to fix a drink. He poured a drink for himself and then held up the bottle. Sherman held up his glass.

“The Barefoot Contessa.”

“Bogart,” Black said nodding because he was a Humprey Bogart fan and sat down with his drink.

“And Ava Gardner.”

“I hear you got RJ hooked on these old movies.”

“That and Ester’s cooking.” Sherman shook his head.

“What?”

“I know, being Bobby’s son, everybody sees him as the heir apparent to take over for Rain one day, but right now, I don’t see it.”

“Why is that?”

“Too much on his plate. With Venus and the new baby boy and having to deal with the angry girlfriend . . .” he said about Mia Rubio, who had just returned from her European tour opening for Cristal. “Between those two and the promotion business he’s got going, he’s not focused. I mean, he gets done what I need him to handle, but still.”

Black thought briefly about Michelle. “Just because he’s Bobby’s son don’t make him the heir apparent. He needs to earn that spot just like Rain earned it.”

“She eats and sleeps nothing but this Family.”

“True.”

Black paused to think about her judgment in not telling him about involving The Family in Gavin Caldwell’s business, not once but twice.

“I don’t think there’s anything to worry about. I don’t see Ms. Robinson giving up the job any time soon.”

“Who said I was worried? I’m just expressing an opinion.”

“So, tell me something I don’t know.”

“Kojo’s whole house is in disarray.”

“I knew it would be. What’s up with that?”

“After Ryder killed Truck, he discovered they had a snitch in his house.” Sherman laughed. “Turned out to be one of the boy’s top people. After that, Kojo, or more correctly, Sienna Petrocelli, had Arron Copeland killed because he was the one that brought her in.”

“That only leaves Truck’s brother, what’s his name?”

“Drew Mack.”

“Anybody taking advantage?”

“That would be Kendrick Nance.”

“What can you tell me about him?”

“Not much. Other than he used to work for the Kings.”

“When you find out more, I wanna hear about it.”

“You know you got it.” Sherman stood up. “You want another drink?”

“No.” Black drained his glass. “I promised Cassandra I wouldn’t be in the streets all night, and I got another stop to make.” He stood up. “You say hello to Ester for me.”

“I will,” Sherman said and saw Black to the back door. When William saw him coming, he started the car.

“Where to now, Boss?” he asked when Black got in. “Ready to call it a night?”

“No.” Black paused. “Take me to Veneshia’s.”

Back in the day, when Black took over the gambling operation from Andre, he beat a gorilla pimp named Silky to death one night after witnessing him beating one of his women. Silky’s women gathered and watched quietly.

“Kick his ass,” one of his women said softly.

“Yeah,” another said.

“Kill that muthafucka, Black!” Veneshia shouted, and that started a chant. “Kill him! Kill him!”

After killing their pimp, by right and tradition, those women belonged to Black. He cleaned them up and found them somewhere to ply their trade safely, with Veneshia serving as his bottom girl. This position gave her status and power over the other women working for her daddy, and, much to his regret, Veneshia still called him by that name. When they arrived at Veneshia’s, Joe, who had been running security for her for years, greeted Black and William.

“Evening, Mike.”

“What’s up, Joe?” Black said as he and William attempted to follow house rules and surrender their weapons.

“No need for that, Mike. I think I can trust you not to start no shit.” he laughed, “At least you ain’t gonna start shit you can’t finish,” Joe said and allowed them to pass. “I know Veneshia will be happy to see you.”

“I know.”

Over the years, she had become one of his best sources of information on the streets. Black knew that every once in a while, he had to stop by there, pay her some attention, and show her the respect to which she was entitled.

“Daddy’s here!” one of the women shouted enthusiastically when Black and William came into the room.

The rest of the women at the house quickly got to their feet and formed what amounted to an inspection line. It was one of Veneshia’s rules. Black shook his head and sat down since he had no interest in looking over the women.

“They’re all yours,” he said to William as one of the women hurried to get him a drink before she got in line just as Veneshia entered the room. This was a good thing because the inspection line was more about Veneshia and her expectations in her daddy’s presence than it was about Black. And each woman knew there were consequences for making her look bad in front of her daddy.

“Daddy!” she exclaimed. “This is such a pleasant surprise.”

“Evening, Veneshia. You look very nice tonight,” he said of the Marchesa Notte, off-the-shoulder lace midi-dress she wore. The dress was black, as was most of her wardrobe, a holdover from her days as his bottom girl when he wore black just about every day.

Veneshia smiled brightly. “Thank you, Daddy. I’m glad you like it,” she said, walking the line behind William. “Too much makeup,” she said to one, and she quickly went to fix it. “That outfit is totally inappropriate for you. Go change.” She stood in front of her girl with her hands on her hips.

“Yes, Veneshia,” the woman said and rushed off.

“What are the rest of you standing around for?”

“Nothing,” they said collectively, leaving the room with William so Veneshia could talk to Black alone. As she came toward him, Black stood up and gave her a hug and a kiss on her lips.

“How are you, Veneshia?”

“I could find something to complain about, but nothing is happening in my world that I can’t handle.”

“What can you tell me about Kendrick Nance?”

“He used to work for the Kings. Now, he’s trying to fill the void the Caldwells left and push Johnny Boy’s pawn out.”

Black chuckled. “What about Kojo?”

“They’re falling apart after Ryder killed Rodney Mack, and they killed Shanice Hardaway. She was a police informant, you know.” Venishia took Black’s glass. “Kendrick Nance is trying to be the next big thing.”

“He into anything other than drugs?”

“He’s got some women he runs out of The Burke Hotel.” She fixed him another drink and one for herself and handed it to him before reclaiming her seat.

“Thank you.” Black shot the drink. “They causing any problems for you?”

“Not so far. The bum bitches he has working for him are little more than streetwalkers. They are no competition for my women.”

“You let me know if you do, and I’ll put Rain on it.”

“No need to involve Black Widow. If they cause me a problem, I’ll handle it like I have been doing for years, Daddy. I certainly don’t need Rain.”

“I know you don’t. And I meant no disrespect.”

“None taken, but if I see where they’re a problem I can’t handle, I will let you know.”

Black stood up. “All I can ask.”

“Leaving so soon?”

“Yes.” He handed her his glass. “I promised Cassandra I wouldn’t be in the streets all night.”

“You say hello to Mrs. Black for me,” Veneshia said, standing up and walking to the door in the main room with him.

“Good night, Veneshia.”

“Good night, Daddy.” Veneshia got on her toes to kiss him on the cheek. William separated himself from the woman he was talking to and followed Black to the door.

“Where to?”

“Home.”

Once Black got home, he saw the light coming from the media room. When he opened the door, he found Shy watching a movie on television. He came in and kissed his wife, and sat down.

“I wasn’t expecting you to be home so soon.”

“You did say not to stay out all night. I assumed that you had something in mind.”

“I do,” she said and turned off the television.

“Thought you were watching that?” Black said as Shy stood up.

“Not really. Just something to do while I waited up for you,” she said, leading her husband by the hand out of the media room and upstairs to their bedroom.

Shy came toward him and helped him get undressed. Once he was naked, she stepped into his embrace and felt the warmth of his being enfold her. She removed her nightgown and crawled onto and stretched out across the bed. She sighed and arched her back when he palmed one of her nipples, squeezing it gently as his other hand caressed her waist and her hip. When he squeezed her curved ass and lifted her legs, Shy wrapped them around his waist and stared into his deep brown eyes. He kissed her at the same moment he entered her. It took her breath away.

“Oh, Michael.”

He held her cheeks, and he moved in and out of her while she worked her hips in rhythm with him. Shy was caught up in how magnificent it felt to have him inside her. She panted her pleasure as his lips brushed around her neck, her chest. As their bodies slammed into each other, Black’s hand traveled his beautiful wife’s warm, naked body, enjoying the smooth, soft skin of her luscious curves. After all these years, he still couldn’t get enough of her.

Their eyes locked as Black slid in and out of Shy, hitting her spot. She rotated her hips, moving slowly, then fast, and then slowing again. Shy slowed her pace enough to kiss him, and he pulled her on top of him. As he plunged his thickness inside of her, she grabbed her breast and pushed her nipple into his mouth. Black licked and sucked her nipple and could feel the tension simmering within her. She kept gliding her hips, looking down at him. The look in Shy’s eyes set him on fire.

Shy rode him harder, moving up and down faster, slamming her h. . .