The dull thumping seemed to follow the grim looking group as they silently exited the eerie cemetery. The chilly autumn air had the tallest in the group wrapping his coat tighter around himself.
“It had to be done.” Yury muttered though it sounded more like he was convincing himself rather than the group.
“No, it didn’t.” The pointed look that Rameka gave Yury conveyed her dissatisfaction at what had transpired.
“I said I was sorry.” The polecat sounded so defeated that Rameka didn’t have it in her to verbally beat her down any further.
“Evie, don’t beat yourself up.” Beverly put an arm around her friend and offered a small smile.
“You know we can’t talk about this right?” The low voice of the sollum elk held an air of finality to it. The other members in the group nodded in agreement. This was supposed to be a means to an end. They could never bring this up again for fear of what might happen. This secret would bind the eight of them together for life, they now shared something so dark that only they could understand.
The decision to do what they had done hadn’t been an easy one. The reasoning behind it was that the person who would take the fall had horrid crimes of their own to answer for. Yes, it was no surprise that Santiago Valencia had performed many a dastardly deed. As a drug kingpin he had killed many for the sake of his business. The bear was ruthless, he only cared about his bottom line. So after the stunt he pulled on Yury with the bundle of cocaine he had unknowingly offered himself up as the scapegoat. The group could sleep at night knowing that the person who had gone in their place truly deserved what was coming to him.
When Evelyn first proposed that they take this way out many of them were reluctant to do such a thing. Surely they couldn’t let someone else take the fall for their mess. For a week they agonized over the decision, unable to come to one, they conceded. But after Sappo tried to get them arrested (or worse) the group was far more willing to let the kingpin suffer for their mistake. It wasn’t hard to lure the cocky bear into the trap. With the thought that Yury wanted to relinquish his business and territory to Sappo, he all but ran into the ambush.
-------------------------------------------
“Now look, just sit here quietly and wait for my say so.” Ike crouched down next to the girls his rifle propped up on a discarded box.
“Just a reminder that I really don’t feel comfortable with this.” Beverly said for the upteenth time that night.
“It’s not a matter of comfort it’s got to be done.” Tanya reminded the shivering leopard.
“No thanks to Miss Voodo-Hoodoo-Queen-of-the-Bayou.” Rameka fixed the silent polecat with an irritated glare. Evelyn only rolled her eyes at the jab, she had said her bit before and decided she wouldn’t be apologizing anymore.
“Enough!” Ike hissed as movement from the ally had everyone’s attention. The group watched with laser focus as a bulky figure entered the alleyway, the figure removed their skimmer hat and gave a small nod.
“Yury! I can’t tell you how happy I am that you’ve come to your senses, hermano.” The large bear handed his hat to one of his goons behind him before stepping forward with an extended hand.
“Let’s not get too hasty. I’m still not certain that I even want to sell the Spiked Tiger to you.” Yury voice seemed to falter as he said the unthinkable.
“Don’t worry, my friend. I’ll take great care of your little shithole-I mean nightclub.” The smirk on Sappo’s face made Yury grit his teeth in irritation.
Even though this was just a ruse the mere thought of selling his beloved club to Sappo the Slimeball made the achromatic feline sick to his stomach. He spared a glance up towards the rooftop, hoping that Ike was paying attention as he removed the newsboy cap from his head.
“That’s the signal!” Rameka hissed at Ike as she elbowed him in the ribs.
“Ow! Jesus, enough with the hockey jostle. That ain’t the signal.” Ike grumbled back as he rubbed his side.
“Yes it is you ninny!” Rameka pointed fervently at the group below them.
“I think she’s right Ikki, Yury said he’d remove his hat when it was time.” Beverly chimed in as she squinted down.
“He didn’t remove his hat...did he?” Tanya leaned over the edge a bit to see if the tiger had indeed removed his cap.
“Yes, he did. Come on Ike.” Rameka made to elbow him again but the elk shot her a glare that had her thinking better of it.
“Okay. Okay. Could you broads shut your traps?” Ike aimed the rifle towards the small party below them. He took a deep breath and upon exhaling he pulled the trigger.
Yury wouldn’t lie, he did flinch when the shot rang out in the alleyway. The club owner could hear the bullet ricochet off the wall to the left of them. Sappo cried out in shock as one of his cohorts dropped like a log to the ground, he barely had time to react before another shot rang out taking out a second goon. With an angry shout the bear spun around wildly, arms raised above his head, fear in his wide eyes.
“W-what was that?!” He turned to face Yury. The feline said nothing as he hauled back and decked the surprised bear, knocking him out cold. He spared a glance up toward the rooftop before motioning for Dee to help him lift the dead weight into the back of one of the fancy cars they brought along. Ike and the girls met them at the rear of the cream colored coupe, the group looked grimly at the trunk that now housed one of the most ruthless drug lords New York had ever seen.
“That-” Ike paused, thinking better of voicing his thoughts, he waved his hand dismissively.
“Go on.” Evelyn nudged him, encouraging him to speak his mind.
“Nothing, it’s just...did anyone else think that was too easy?” Ike rubbed the back of his neck.
“You obviously have no idea how much effort it took on my part to convince him to come.”
The deep, level voice caused most of the party to jump, started by the uninvited guest. A tall elephant emerged from the shadows, he pushed the glasses that were perched on the bridge of his trunk up a bit as he regarded the group.
“You!” Beverly couldn’t help the guffaw that left her mouth as she stared in disbelief at the familiar face.
“Ah, yes. Miss. Collins. Nice to make your acquaintance again. And you Miss. Doubois” He gave them a small, amused smile.
“Kamran.” Yury grunted as he shook the elephant’s hand.
“Yury.” Kamran spared a glance at the others in the group
.
“I had to get someone Sappo trusts in on this.” Yury explained quickly to the group.
“Just as we agreed, I take up the more lucrative side of Sappo’s business. And you can absorb the majority of his gin joints. Though our area of Queens is strictly off limits.”
“Come on, you don’t know how to run a booze club.” Yury haggled.
“I’ll learn,” Kamran’s eyes flashed a silent warning, “and I assure you I’m not as soft as my predecessor.”
Yury decided to leave it at that.
--------------------------------
The drive to the cemetery was quiet and awkward. Each was ensnared in their own thoughts, none wanting to voice the potential dangers of this mission. As the two cars pulled up to the entrance of the cemetery the group spied the two figures standing next to an open grave up ahead. Evelyn hopped out and hustled over to the pair, embracing the taller of the two. The rest of the group wasn’t far behind.
“Well?” Yury asked.
“It’s ready.” Levi muttered as he leaned against the dirty shovel that was propped up beside him.
“How sure are we tha this is tha way ta go?” Davin asked as he gave Evelyn a squeeze.
“Positive.” Evelyn answered as she motioned for Yury and Dee to get Sappo from the car.
The two grimly popped the trunk and dragged the unconscious bear over to the edge of the grave. There was a plain pine box laid out next to the grave, Yury and Dee hesitated a bit before lifting Sappo into the box. Ike and Levi then put the top of the box over Sappo and nailed it shut. Almost as soon as the last nail was driven in the box rattled, the group collectively jumped back, Tanya let out a yelp. They looked at each other with wide eyes.
“Well, don’t just stand there, let’s finish this.” Rameka whispered as she stared at the box.
“So we just bury it now?” Ike asked in a hushed voice.
“Wait,” Evelyn dug around in the satchel that was slung across her shoulder and pulled out a small bag, “we gotta throw dis in.”
As the group watched Evelyn toss the quarter sized bag into the grave there was a soft sizzling, like the sound of bacon cooking in a red hot pan. The guys then lifted the casket and lowered it none too gently into the grave. They then passed around shoves and the group quickly filled the grave, pointedly ignoring the banging and the barely audible shouts coming from below.
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